Sikkim HC suspends Mangan district judge Prajwal Khatiwada

The High Court of Sikkim has suspended Prajwal Khatiwada, the District and Sessions Judge at Mangan, pending disciplinary proceedings against him, Sikkim Express and Northeast Live reported on Saturday, November 7, citing a Bar & Bench report.

The suspension order was issued on November 4 after a decision of the Full Court and takes effect immediately, until further orders. The Full Court reportedly found his explanations to two show-cause notices prima facie unsatisfactory and concluded that his continuing in office was not conducive to the proper administration of justice.

What the charges are about

The proceedings mainly concern Khatiwada's earlier tenure as Registrar General of the High Court. They involve 33 charges relating to promotions, service upgradations and appointments allegedly made without enough legal or administrative basis or against the rules. The order reportedly refers to an estimated loss of about Rs 1.64 crore to the exchequer.

The Full Court said approval from higher authorities does not automatically free a judicial officer of his own administrative responsibility. Other issues cited include an August 6 communication questioning how witnesses were examined in a vigilance inquiry, failure to submit an Annual Confidential Report despite directions, and the "intemperate" tone of his replies to official notices.

Khatiwada has denied all 33 charges. He has argued that the decisions were within the Chief Justice's authority and that documents he needed for his defence were withheld. The allegations are still to be decided in the disciplinary process and are not findings of guilt.

Supreme Court petition

The suspension has drawn attention because Khatiwada had earlier moved the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenging a show-cause notice issued on August 12, 2026. In his petition, he said the dispute began after he filed a complaint on December 12, 2025, against a then-sitting judge of the High Court, accusing the judge of mistreatment and humiliation. He said that judge later became Acting Chief Justice and that he then faced a series of administrative actions he considers retaliatory.

Court short of judges

The development comes as the Sikkim High Court, with a sanctioned strength of three judges, is working with only two. Northeast Live reported that five writ appeals are pending because of the shortage, and the court has sought the Supreme Court's intervention.