Senior Advocate Asim Pandya has called for a GHCAA meeting to address concerns over recent roster changes at the Gujarat High Court, questioning their impact on judicial independence and rule of law.
Gujarat: Senior Advocate Asim Pandya, former President of the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA), has called for a General Meeting of the lawyers’ body to discuss the recent changes in the roster at the Gujarat High Court.
As reported by Media, the controversy arose after Justice Sandeep N Bhatt’s roster was changed just a day after he questioned the conduct of a judicial officer in the High Court Registry.
In a letter to GHCAA President Brijesh Trivedi, Pandya pointed out that this was the second instance in recent weeks where a judge’s roster was altered. He stated:
“Two recent incidents of Hon’ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Gujarat suddenly taking away the business pertaining to contempt of court from one particular judge… and transferring the said business to another bench… raise a question for the members of the Bar whether such decisions of the Hon’ble Chief Justice should be tolerated or should be objected.”
He warned that these changes have a far-reaching impact on the fundamental rights of citizens, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary.
Pandya indicated that two judges who lost key responsibilities had been outspoken in their judgments:
- One judge had taken strong action against defiant government officers who failed to comply with court orders in contempt cases.
- Another judge had criticized police misconduct, particularly its interference in civil disputes under the guise of criminal cases.
He suggested that remarks against the High Court Registry and police abuse may have influenced the Chief Justice’s decision to change the roster.
While Pandya acknowledged that the Chief Justice is the master of the roster, he questioned whether these sudden changes undermine judicial independence:
“The question is that when a particular business of a judge is suddenly taken away from him… does it augur well for the judicial independence of the institution?”
Pandya urged lawyers to stand by judges who are facing “unfair treatment” for their critical remarks during hearings or in written orders.
“If this kind of treatment is tolerated, we will lose independent judges. Three years back, we stood up against the unjust transfer of an independent and relief-oriented judge… The Bar must defend such judges to see that the rule of law and judicial independence is maintained at all costs.”
To address these concerns, Pandya has requested the GHCAA President to call an Extraordinary General Meeting on February 17 to pass an appropriate resolution.
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