India, Oct. 31 -- The Himachal Pradesh high court has expressed strong displeasure with a judicial officer handling a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) case, observing that their ruling showed a total "failure to apply mind" and a "lack of basic knowledge" of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Allowing an appeal filed by an insurance company, a single-judge bench of justice Sushil Kukreja, in an order dated October 29, pulled up the officer-who currently serves as a district and sessions judge-for passing a mechanical award. Emphasising that the district judiciary is the backbone of the justice system, the high court noted that such errors cannot be tolerated.

The court directed the officer to undergo a refresher course and periodic training i...