Delhi seniors on rescue mission: ask collegium to reconsider justice Shakdher transfer order

Justice Rajiv Shakdher
Justice Rajiv Shakdher
Protesting the transfer order of Delhi high court justice Rajiv Shakdher to the Madras high court, prominent senior advocates in Delhi have written to the Supreme Court collegium requesting it to reverse the order.

Legally India understands that several seniors have signed a letter late last week, requesting the collegium to let justice Shakdher stay in the Delhi high court.

The transfer orders of justice Shakdher and three other Delhi high court judges were signed by the President of India by 13 February, according to a Times of India report which had added that it is not usual for the collegium to transfer a high court judge to another high court if the judge is not being made the chief justice of the high court he or she is being transferred to.

On Shakdher’s transfer, Live Law had reported:

“Many senior lawyers and former Judges feel that the decision of the Supreme Court collegium in transferring Justice Rajiv Shakdher to Madras High Court is unjustified. Justice Shakdher is well known for his integrity, boldness and hard work.”

Live Law had quoted an anonymous senior lawyer as commenting: “On one hand you complain about not getting right candidates and on the other, you are rewarding people like Rajiv who sacrificed a lucrative career and joined the bench, like this.”

Shakdher is currently sitting in the Delhi high court and was scheduled to hear nine cases in its courtroom 11 today, according to the high court’s website.

One of the senior advocates who have signed the letter declined to comment when contacted by Legally India today, but did not deny that such a letter had been filed with the collegium.

Comments

Why nott 24 Feb 2016, 16:47
+0 -0
If J. Shakdher is good, why not let Madras HC also have the benefit? Talent is in short supply...

If J. Shakdher has no problem with his transfer, the others' objections are not serious matter.

Are these Delhi HC lawyers miffed at losing their favourite judge to Madras HC?
Guest 25 Feb 2016, 12:16
+1 -0
1. Justice Shakhder is not happy about the transfer and is in fact contemplating resignation.

2. A transfer in such circumstances is considered a punishment posting.

3. In the scheme of things the Delhi High Court in terms of quality of matters and composition of the bar is far superior then the alternate.

4. After Chief Justice Kaul and his reception in Madras, no delhi judge would be too happy about moving.

5. Madras HC as the likes of Justice Karnan !
Guest 25 Feb 2016, 12:06
+0 -2
Madras High Court teaches you administrative and people management skills that no other High Court can. Transfer to Madras means you'll likely be elevated.