Delhi HC Judge, Later Manipur CJ, Had LPG Agency During Tenure
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Justice Siddharth Mridul allegedly operated an LPG distributorship during his 16-year judicial tenure, violating judicial ethics. This controversy emerges amid heightened scrutiny of judicial conduct following the Justice Yashwant Varma cash discovery case.
Background
Judges of constitutional courts are bound by oath and an unwritten code of conduct prohibiting pecuniary, contractual, business, or trade links with government, PSUs, or private parties. Justice Mridul was appointed Delhi HC judge in March 2008 and became Manipur HC Chief Justice in October 2023, retiring on November 21, 2024.
Key facts
Justice Siddharth Mridul ran an LPG distribution agency 'Kitchen Flame' through his 16-year tenure as Delhi HC judge and Manipur HC CJ.
The distributorship agreement with BPCL was renewed multiple times: Aug 25, 1995; Aug 24, 2005; Aug 23, 2010; Aug 25, 2015; May 7, 2025; and Sep 29 last year (valid till Aug 24, 2030).
The last agreement displays Mridul's photograph on stamp paper and is signed by him for 'Kitchen Flame'.
BPCL issued a notice on May 29, 2026, citing a public grievance complaint from Dec 2025 alleging the judge's prior service.
The agency dealership was eventually suspended by BPCL.
This violates the code of ethics for constitutional court judges, who must declare shareholdings to avoid conflict of interest.
The controversy comes as Parliament may initiate removal proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma over currency notes found in his official bungalow.
Prelims pointers
- Justice Siddharth Mridul
- Delhi High Court
- Manipur High Court
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- LPG distributorship
- Code of conduct for judges
- Constitutional courts
- Conflict of interest
Mains angles
- Discuss the ethical obligations of constitutional court judges and the implications of violating the code of conduct.
- Critically examine the mechanisms for ensuring judicial accountability in India, with reference to recent controversies.
- Analyze the role of public interest complaints and PSUs in exposing judicial misconduct.