Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 12: Maharashtra Law Secretary Dilip Ghumare on Friday tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Bombay High Court over his recent “outburst” during the hearing of a PIL concerning the setting up of fast-track courts.

Ghumare’s advocate submitted his affidavit before Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata.

On September 1, the High Court had issued a contempt notice against Ghumare, who is also a senior legal adviser in the Law and Judiciary Department, for allegedly blaming the High Court administration “in a high-pitched voice (bordering on shouting)” for not filling up 179 vacant posts.

Ghumare subsequently challenged the High Court’s order before the Supreme Court.

During the hearing in the apex court on Thursday, his advocate informed the court that Ghumare had apologised and had subsequently sought voluntary retirement. He is currently serving a three-month notice period nearly 1,000 km away in a Naxal-affected region.

The Supreme Court, however, declined to stay the High Court’s order. It issued notice on Ghumare’s appeal and restrained the High Court from passing a final order in the contempt proceedings until September 28, when it will hear the matter next.

Taking note of the fact that the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court, the Bombay High Court judges adjourned the hearing to October 6.