Gujarat High Court lawyers returned to work after GHCAA delegation met CJI BR Gavai, urging reconsideration of Justice Sandeep Bhatt’s transfer to Madhya Pradesh HC. The association called the decision “unfortunate” and praised Justice Bhatt as “honest and hardworking.”
Ahmedabad: On Sep 1, the lawyers of the Gujarat High Court have resumed their regular work on Monday after their delegation met Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, along with other judges of the Supreme Court collegium, to request a review of the decision to transfer Justice Sandeep Bhatt to the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Last week, the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) had unanimously passed a resolution to stop work immediately. This step was taken as a protest against the proposed transfer of Justice Bhatt, which they strongly opposed.
To address the matter, a six-member delegation of GHCAA went to New Delhi and held discussions with the CJI and the collegium judges. After this meeting, the GHCAA’s managing committee decided that lawyers would resume their normal court work from Monday.
In its written representation to the Chief Justice of India, the GHCAA described the transfer order as “unfortunate”.
The association urged the collegium to give fresh thought to the decision, pointing out that such transfers can affect the faith of common people in the justice system.
The GHCAA in its appeal wrote,
“We all humbly request your Lordship and the members of the Collegium to kindly reconsider the issue of transfer of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep N Bhatt, keeping in mind the larger interest to keep the image of the justice delivery system amongst common litigants and also to keep the basic principle the case of judges transfer case.”
Further, the association highlighted the track record of Justice Bhatt, praising him as an asset to the judiciary.
The statement said that Justice Bhatt is an “honest and hardworking, industrious, courteous, upfront and dignified judge” who has already disposed of more than 19,000 cases in just four years since his appointment to the Gujarat High Court.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court to Revisit “Hira Singh” Judgment on NDPS Act Drug Quantity Rules
The GHCAA strongly believes that shifting a judge of such calibre is against the interest of justice delivery in Gujarat and has therefore requested the collegium to protect both the credibility of the judiciary and the trust of the litigants.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on NDPS Act
