New Delhi: The judge who acquitted all five accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case returned to work today after the high court rejected his resignation.National Investigation Agency (NIA) Judge K. Ravinder Reddy reported back to duty on Thursday. According to the Indian Express, Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan not only rejected Reddy’s resignation, but also denied the 15-day leave of absence he had sought.When Reddy resigned on April 16 – hours after he acquitted Aseemanand and four others accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case – he said it was for personal reasons. After the verdict, security for the judge was increased.According to the Indian Express, Reddy is being scrutinised by the high court’s vigilance department after a litigant alleged that he showed “undue haste” in granting anticipatory bail to the accused in a land dispute case. Complainant Krishna Reddy wanted a “thorough inquiry to know the corrupt practices” of the judge.The Mecca Masjid case has raised questions on the NIAs investigations, and whether attempts were made to shield or go easy on the accused, who are associated with Hindutva right-wing groups.
