New Delhi: A group of three lawyer associations in Madhya Pradesh has written to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi seeking transfer of Justice Sanjay Yadav out of the state high court, citing a “potential conflict between bar and the bench” over the judge’s “continuous misbehaviour” and “vindictive attitude”.
Yadav, currently on the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, is the fourth senior-most judge in the HC.
He is in line to become the acting chief justice of the Madhya Pradesh HC if the Supreme Court collegium’s recommendation to elevate current acting chief justice Ravi Shankar Jha and Justice J.K. Maheshwari goes through.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association, the District Court Bar Association and the Madhya Pradesh High Court Advocates Bar Association wrote to the CJI on 5 September after convening a joint meeting.
Also read: Why income norms to elevate judges is pitting Modi govt against SC collegium
What the letter says
Besides seeking his transfer, the group in its letter has also requested the CJI Ranjan Gogoi-led Supreme Court collegium to avoid appointing Yadav as the acting chief justice.
The letter said Yadav’s appointment as acting chief justice would be “detrimental” to the smooth functioning of the high court, due to his “consistent and continuous misbehaviour with advocates”.
The assertion primarily bases itself on the discord between the judge and lawyers in the state.
“As justice Sanjay Yadav hails from Jabalpur, he has personal likes and dislikes towards counsels which is clearly reflected in his court conduct,” said the letter.
The letter also noted “abstentions and boycott of Justice Yadav’s court on many occasions”, and that senior lawyers who have earlier been judges, usually refrain from appearing in Yadav’s court.
Other allegations against the judge included that he has a “vindictive attitude” and the environment in his court remains “charged” and “hostile” heading for conflict every day.
Not everyone on board?
However, it appears that all members of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association were not on the same page vis-à-vis the letter.
Raman Patel, the president of the association, was not present during the joint meeting.
Speaking to ThePrint, Patel said he was completely against the resolution. “All that is stated is not true. I decline the contents.”
The letter, however, included association secretary Manish Tiwari as a signatory. Tiwari affirmed the contents of the resolution passed in the joint meeting and said he only hopes CJI Ranjan Gogoi takes a call after reading the letter.
Earlier, Bombay High Court Justice A.A. Kureshi was recommended for elevation as the chief justice of Madhya Pradesh HC. However, the Modi government has requested the collegium to reconsider Kureshi’s elevation. The decision has been pending since May.
Also read: Justice Tahilramani’s resignation shows why Supreme Court collegium is a failed system
Dispensation of Justice is possible if only the Bench and Bar have mutual Trust and respect.
Which Stock do the Judges come from? Most are ex Lawyers; Please note – Most!
Lawyers Profession teaches them to lie for years for their Clients, Bribe Judicial Est for fixing Dates, Benches, Verdicts etc – all for own monetary gain.
Character Destroyed over the yrs.
Suddenly they are apptted Judges. Old practices remain in their Psyche.
Tainted Lawyers remain Tainted Judges.
Same case as Corrupt CBI Chiefs, Commissioners of Police who rise from a Cesspool of Corruption and do not change on reaching Top Positions.
Worthwhile to mention the Indian Military Academy practice. It urges all Gentlemen Cadets to adopt the Good Practices of Officers from the Academy Training days itself since one will not change overnight after getting Commissioned as an Officer.
The Collegiums are the same too.
Judicial matters are getting tough in coutts and judicial world !
Don’t you think so ?
Respect, Discipline, code of conduct in there, getting downward trend ….
-srskpmi