The Central Government on May 1 officially notified the transfer of four judges from the Karnataka High Court to various other high courts, following recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium. This move, aimed at promoting diversity and enhancing the quality of judicial administration, has drawn notable concern and protest from the legal fraternity in Karnataka.
As per the official notification, the following judges have been transferred:
Justice Heman Chandanagoudar has been moved from the Karnataka High Court to the Madras High Court. Justice Krishnan Natarajan will now serve at the Kerala High Court. Justice Neranahalli Srinivasan Sanjay Gowda has been transferred to the Gujarat High Court. Lastly, Justice Dixit Krishna Sripad will serve at the Orissa High Court.
The transfers follow a recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium last month, which suggested the relocation of seven High Court judges across the country, including four from the Karnataka High Court. The Collegium stated that the move was intended "to infuse inclusivity and diversity in the higher judiciary and to strengthen the quality of administration of justice."
However, the transfer of these four Karnataka High Court judges has sparked significant unrest among the legal community in the state. Various lawyers and Advocate Associations expressed strong concerns and urged the Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, to reconsider the recommendations.
Senior advocates practicing in the Karnataka High Court expressed a deep sense of concern, anguish, disappointment and anxiety over the Collegium’s resolution, stated one letter sent to the Chief Justice of India. The letter emphasized the perceived lack of transparency in the decision-making process and questioned whether the interests of the judicial system were being adequately served.
In addition to written communications, the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru (AAB) formally protested the transfer decision. "The Advocates’ Association Bengaluru registered its protest by deciding to abstain from work on April 23 in response to the Collegium's recommendation," according to a statement from the group.
Legal professionals emphasized that while the Collegium has the authority to recommend judicial transfers, such decisions must be made with utmost sensitivity and responsibility, especially considering the implications for judicial independence and regional representation within the judiciary.
This development comes amidst broader discussions on transparency and accountability in judicial appointments and transfers. The central government’s acceptance of the Collegium’s recommendation marks a continuation of recent trends in judicial reshuffles across the country.
As the transferred judges prepare to assume new responsibilities in their respective high courts, the legal fraternity in Karnataka remains vocal in its concern, seeking clarity and reassurance from the higher judiciary.
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It is essential that the judiciary functions with integrity and balance, and the trust of those who practice before it must be upheld, a senior advocate commented, reflecting the mood in the legal circles of the state.
The coming weeks may see further responses from bar associations and other stakeholders, as the conversation around judicial transfers continues to evolve.
