Prayagraj, July 31 -- A judge of the Allahabad High Court on Friday recused himself from hearing a batch of bail applications after an alleged attempt was made by a litigant to establish direct contact with the presiding judge following the conclusion of arguments.

Justice Krishna Pahal, who was hearing the bail application of Bhola Prasad, an accused in a codeine cough syrup smuggling case, observed that the incident amounted to a serious attempt to interfere with the independence of the judiciary.

In a strongly worded order, the Court described the incident as a "black day in the history of the Court" and reiterated the fundamental principle that "justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done".

The Court noted that ...