Who is Justice Rohit Deo, announced resignation in open court?

Justice Rohit Deo, the second most senior judge at the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, surprised many by resigning on August 4. Despite having a workload of pending cases, Justice Deo apologized to those present in the court and announced his resignation, citing personal reasons and his own self-respect.

Speaking to the media later, he mentioned that he had already submitted his resignation to the President of India. Justice Deo had been in the spotlight for his judgments, including setting aside the life sentence of Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba due to procedural issues.

“Those who are present in the court, I apologize to each one of you. I scolded you because I wanted you to improve, I don’t want to hurt anyone of you because you all are like a family to me and I am sorry to tell you that I have submitted my resignation. I can’t work against my self-respect. You people work hard,” Deo announced suddenly.

Justice Deo had highlighted that the trial proceedings in the sessions court were invalid as proper sanction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) had not been obtained. However, the state government contested his decision in the Supreme Court, leading to a stay on his order.

Notably, he recently stayed a government resolution regarding punitive action against contractors of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway for illegal excavation of minor minerals. This project is a significant initiative in the state, linked to former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Justice Deo's resignation comes after two other judges, Justice Pushpa V. Ganediwala and Justice Satyaranjan C. Dharmadhikari, resigned from the Bombay High Court in the last three years for various reasons.

Who is Justice Rohit Deo?

Justice Deo, who was born on December 5, 1963, had previously served as the Advocate General of Maharashtra before his appointment to the bench in June 2017. His retirement was scheduled for December 4, 2025.

Serving at the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, Justice Rohit B Deo made a candid announcement about his decision to step down during a Friday court session.

A glimpse into Justice Deo’s professional journey reveals a path defined by dedication and diligence. His journey commenced with his appointment as an additional judge to the Bombay High Court on June 5, 2017. Later, he secured his position as a permanent judge on April 12, 2019, poised to serve until his scheduled retirement date of December 4, 2025.

Justice Deo's contributions and rulings

Worth noting, Justice Deo's retirement was scheduled for December 4, 2025. His commitment extended beyond judicial duties, as he held the position of assistant solicitor general, adeptly representing the Central Government's interests at the Nagpur bench of the High Court. Additionally, he took on the significant roles of advocate general for Maharashtra, showcasing his versatility and expertise.

In a pivotal ruling in October last year, Justice Deo led a bench that acquitted GN Saibaba and five co-accused individuals. The ruling highlighted the absence of a valid sanction under section 45(1) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, rendering the trial against them null and void. This decision marked a departure from the trial court's prior ruling, which had led to their life imprisonment sentences in 2017.

Justice Deo's engagement in matters of public importance is further evident in his role in suspending the execution of a Government Resolution (GR) issued on January 3 of the same year. This GR granted the state government the authority to negate punitive measures initiated by the revenue department regarding unauthorized extraction of minor minerals by contractors engaged in the construction of the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway project.

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