The Delhi High Court has refused to reconsider its decisions upholding the suspension of former Debts Recovery Tribunal-II, Chandigarh, Presiding Officer MM Dhonchak, finding no apparent error in its earlier rulings.
A Division Bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Tejas Karia dismissed Dhonchak’s review petition on October 16, holding that his plea sought to reopen findings that had already been examined and decided.
“The Review Petition merely seeks reconsideration of findings already rendered in the Judgment, which is impermissible,” the Bench observed, adding that Dhonchak had failed to establish any apparent error or other valid ground for review.
The case concerns Dhonchak’s suspension, which was ordered on February 13, 2024, while allegations of misconduct against him were being examined. The suspension was subsequently extended pending the outcome of the inquiry.
Dhonchak retired from the district judiciary in 2021 after a career in which he earned a reputation as an activist judge. He took charge as Presiding Officer of DRT-II, Chandigarh, on February 20, 2022.
His tenure at the tribunal was marked by a dispute with the DRT Bar Association, Chandigarh, which raised complaints alleging misconduct and objected to certain orders passed by him. The complaints were referred to the Chairperson of the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT), Delhi, who exercises oversight over the tribunals.
The dispute intensified when members of the Bar Association abstained from work and approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that Dhonchak had passed adverse orders in cases before him.
In October 2023, the High Court took note of the strained relationship between the tribunal’s presiding officer and the Bar Association and restrained him from passing adverse orders in pending matters.
Dhonchak subsequently approached the Supreme Court. The apex court left the matter to be dealt with by the DRAT Chairperson.
Meanwhile, a preliminary report dated July 10, 2023, led to the constitution of a Search-cum-Selection Committee. The committee recommended a formal inquiry by former Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Virender Singh.
Acting on the committee’s recommendation, the authorities suspended Dhonchak on February 13, 2024. The suspension was extended for 180 days in May 2024 and again in November that year, following reviews by the Suspension Review Committee.
Dhonchak challenged the suspension before the Delhi High Court, but his writ petition was dismissed in September 2025. His subsequent appeal was also rejected in August 2026, prompting him to seek a review of the decisions.
In the latest proceedings, the Bench found no basis to reopen the matter. It rejected the contention that his pleadings and written submissions had been overlooked, noting that the judgment did not suffer from such an omission.
The Court also dismissed the grievance concerning enhanced subsistence allowance, pointing out that Dhonchak had not sought that relief in the earlier proceedings.
With no review-worthy error established, the Court declined to disturb its previous decisions upholding the suspension.
Dhonchak was represented by Balraj Singh. The Union government was represented by Central Government Standing Counsel Pratima Lakra and Shailendra Kumar Mishra.