In January this year, joint secretary to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs P K Agarwal had directed the registrar of Sikkim High Court to recover all the excess payments made to Justice Bhargava after all necessary adjustments against the arrears payable to him on account of salary and pension.

The Centre's directive came after the Sikkim Government's request to the high court for prompt recovery of excess payment made to the former Chief Justice on basis of an inquiry. The probe was initiated by the State Accountant General in July 1998.