At his farewell in the Delhi High Court, Bar Council of India (BCI) vice-chairman Ved Prakash Sharma emphasized that judicial transfers were essential for maintaining judicial independence.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court has been transferred to the Calcutta High Court. During his farewell speech, he acknowledged the opposition from Kolkata lawyers regarding his transfer but stated that he held no grudges.
“I would like to assure the bar association at Kolkata that I will serve the institution to the best of my ability and intentions.. I respect the dissent shown by bar associations of Kolkata. They have their right to express their dissent, and I duly respect and I don’t carry anything in my heart. I fully respect whatever they hold,” said Justice Sharma.
He expressed his dedication to upholding the Constitution and serving the people, including those at the grassroots level. However, lawyers in Kolkata had opposed his transfer and even decided to boycott his swearing-in ceremony. They submitted a representation to the Calcutta High Court chief justice regarding their concerns.
At his farewell in the Delhi High Court, Bar Council of India (BCI) vice-chairman Ved Prakash Sharma emphasized that judicial transfers were essential for maintaining judicial independence.
Pointing out that a judge’s transfer should be smooth, Ved Prakash Sharma stated,
“While there might be differences in opinion, it was imperative to uphold the collective responsibility and ensure the smooth functioning of our courts and maintain public confidence.”
He further praised the recent Supreme Court decision where all judges agreed to declare their assets, calling it a significant step for transparency. Delhi government standing counsel Sameer Vashishth urged Kolkata bar associations to fulfill their duty responsibly.
“Lawyers must refrain from rushing to conclusions on unverified allegations,” he advised.
He further remarked, “I am confident that in observing your conduct, sir, both the bench and the bar at Calcutta will come to realize what we have lost and what they have gained.”
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya highlighted Justice Sharma’s vast experience and humanitarian approach to judgments.
“He could easily arrive at the core of the dispute, thereby enabling efficient adjudication justice,” said Chief Justice Upadhyaya.
Justice Sharma described the role of a judge as more than just interpreting the law.
“Law, in its best form, is a bridge between power and people, between rights and remedy, between conflict and resolution, and it is our duty to keep that bridge strong and steady,” he stated.
Justice Sharma’s transfer was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium in March 2024. He was the third judge transferred within a short period, after Justices Yashwant Varma and Chandra Dhari Singh.
Having started his judicial career in 1992, he was promoted to a Delhi High Court judge on February 28, 2022. Before his elevation, he had served as the registrar general of the high court and as the principal district and sessions judge of New Delhi.
Notably, in September 2024, he granted interim bail to the jailed co-owners of the Old Rajinder Nagar coaching center, where three civil services aspirants had tragically drowned in July that year.
In March 2024, he admitted the CBI’s appeal against the acquittal of former telecom minister A Raja and others in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case, reviving the legal battle six years after the agency first challenged the verdict.
As a tribunal judge under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Justice Sharma, in March 2023, upheld the Central government’s decision to declare the Popular Front of India (PFI) an unlawful organization and imposed a five-year ban on it.
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