The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, has summoned Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav for explanation regarding controversial remarks made during a VHP event. Critics, including legal experts and activists, deemed his statements as “hate speech,” prompting demands for an inquiry and action to uphold judicial accountability and public trust.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, took note of the controversial statements made by Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) function, summoning him on Tuesday to present his explanation, according to sources.
The matter gained traction after the Supreme Court, on December 10, acknowledged news reports about the judge’s speech and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court. In an official statement, the apex court said,
“The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court, and the matter is under consideration.”
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On December 8, Justice Yadav attended a VHP provincial convention at the Allahabad High Court, where he spoke on issues such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), describing it as a means to “promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism.” He also reportedly commented on the law working according to the majority, sparking outrage.
The following day, videos of his speech circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders, activists, and legal experts who labeled it as “hate speech” and a violation of judicial ethics.
Prominent voices, including advocate Prashant Bhushan, convenor of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), demanded an “in-house enquiry” into the judge’s conduct. Bhushan alleged that the statements violated constitutional principles of impartiality and secularism, stating,
“The remarks undermined the judiciary’s role as a neutral arbiter and eroded public trust in its independence.”
Bhushan’s letter urged the Chief Justice of India to “withdraw all judicial work from Justice Yadav” and take immediate action to restore public faith in the judiciary.
Similarly, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat called Justice Yadav’s remarks a “violation of his judicial oath” and sought his removal, asserting,
“There is no place for such persons in a court of justice.”
The Bar Association of India also condemned the judge’s statements, passing a resolution that urged the judiciary to act “sternly” and called for a retraction and apology from Justice Yadav. The resolution highlighted that events by non-judicial organizations should not be conducted on court premises to maintain the judiciary’s neutrality and integrity.
Justice Yadav’s appearance before the Supreme Court Collegium signifies a critical step in addressing allegations of judicial impropriety. The apex court’s final decision on the matter will likely have significant implications for upholding judicial accountability and public trust in India’s judiciary.
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