67.—(1) Without prejudice to any written law and rules governing the conduct and discipline of public officers, if any officer of a subordinate court is charged —
(a)
with extortion or misconduct while acting under colour of the process of the court; or
(b)
with not duly paying or accounting for any money levied by him under the authority of this Act or Rules of Court,
it shall be lawful for a District Judge nominated by the Senior District Judge to inquire into the matter in a summary manner.
(2) For the purpose of any such inquiry, the District Judge may summon and enforce the attendance of all necessary parties in the like manner as the attendance of witnesses in any case may be enforced.
(3) On any such inquiry, the District Judge may make such order as he thinks just for the repayment of the money extorted or the due payment of the money levied, and for the payment of damages and costs, and also, if he thinks fit, may impose such fine upon the officer, not exceeding $100 for each offence, as appears to him to be adequate.
(4) If it is found by a District Judge that any officer, while employed in carrying out his duties under this Act or Rules of Court or in exercising any of the powers thereof, has wilfully and corruptly exacted or accepted any fee or reward, other than such fees as are for the time being allowed under this Act or Rules of Court, that officer shall, in addition to being liable for damages under subsection (3), be incapable of being an officer of the subordinate courts.
(5) An appeal shall lie to the Chief Justice from an order made by the District Judge under this section.
(6) The decision of the Chief Justice shall be final.
Informal Consolidation | Amended Act 5 of 2014
Misconduct of officers
67.—(1) Without prejudice to any written law and rules governing the conduct and discipline of public officers, if any officer of a State Court is charged —
(a)
with extortion or misconduct while acting under colour of the process of the court; or
(b)
with not duly paying or accounting for any money levied by him under the authority of this Act or Rules of Court,
it shall be lawful for a District Judge nominated by the Chief District Judge to inquire into the matter in a summary manner.
[Act 5 of 2014 wef 07/03/2014]
(2) For the purpose of any such inquiry, the District Judge may summon and enforce the attendance of all necessary parties in the like manner as the attendance of witnesses in any case may be enforced.
(3) On any such inquiry, the District Judge may make such order as he thinks just for the repayment of the money extorted or the due payment of the money levied, and for the payment of damages and costs, and also, if he thinks fit, may impose such fine upon the officer, not exceeding $100 for each offence, as appears to him to be adequate.
(4) If it is found by a District Judge that any officer, while employed in carrying out his duties under this Act or Rules of Court or in exercising any of the powers thereof, has wilfully and corruptly exacted or accepted any fee or reward, other than such fees as are for the time being allowed under this Act or Rules of Court, that officer shall, in addition to being liable for damages under subsection (3), be incapable of being an officer of the State Courts.
[Act 5 of 2014 wef 07/03/2014]
(5) An appeal shall lie to the Chief Justice from an order made by the District Judge under this section.
(6) The decision of the Chief Justice shall be final.