New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has ordered the transfer of the Narayan Shukla disproportionate assets case from Lucknow to Delhi. The case involves former Allahabad High Court judge Justice (Retd.) Shri Narayan Shukla, who is facing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case over alleged assets worth more than ₹2.5 crore.
The decision aims to bring the assets case and an earlier corruption case against the former judge before the same Delhi court. The Supreme Court has also directed the accused to cooperate with the trial and asked the CBI to take steps to speed up the proceedings.
Supreme Court Transfers Judge Narayan Shukla Asset Case To Delhi
The Supreme Court passed the transfer order on October 14, 2026. The bench was led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
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The court ordered the transfer of the disproportionate assets case from a special CBI court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. The decision followed a petition filed by Narayan Shukla seeking to move the case to Delhi.
The former judge argued that the assets case was connected to an earlier corruption case that was already being heard by a Delhi court.
Why Was Judge Narayan Shukla Asset Case Case Transferred
The CBI registered a separate criminal case in 2023 against Shukla over allegations that he acquired assets worth more than ₹2.5 crore between 2014 and 2019 that were disproportionate to his known sources of income. The trial in this case was taking place in Lucknow, even though the earlier corruption case against him was pending in Delhi.
Shukla’s lawyer, Sanjay Mani Tripathi, argued that both cases arose from connected proceedings. He also pointed out that the assets case was linked to the same investigation and that the CBI had filed a charge sheet in the matter.
The CBI, represented by Additional Solicitor General Davinder Pal Singh, did not oppose the transfer request. The agency said it had no objection to both cases being heard by a competent court in Delhi.
Supreme Court Directs Accused To Cooperate With Trial
The Supreme Court has directed the accused and the family members named in the disproportionate assets case to cooperate fully with the proceedings. The court also said that unnecessary requests to delay the trial should be avoided.
In another important direction, the Supreme Court asked the CBI to identify official witnesses who could give their evidence through video conferencing. This step could help reduce delays and make it easier for the court to record witness statements. The order reflects the court’s focus on completing the proceedings without unnecessary delays.
What Is The Earlier Corruption Case Against Narayan Shukla
The earlier corruption case is connected to an alleged bribery incident involving Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a medical college in Lucknow.
In 2017, the Medical Council of India (MCI) had barred the college from admitting students because of concerns about its facilities. The CBI alleged that, on August 25, 2017, Shukla, who was then serving as an Allahabad High Court judge, passed an order favouring the college and allowing it to admit students.
Investigators alleged that the order was part of a conspiracy involving other individuals, including retired Orissa High Court judge Justice (Retd.) I.M. Quddusi and people associated with the medical college. These allegations form part of the criminal proceedings and have to be examined through the legal process.
CBI Filed Charge Sheet In The Corruption Case
The CBI registered a case against Shukla and others in December 2019. The investigation later resulted in a charge sheet being filed in December 2021 before a special court handling CBI cases at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Courts.
The CBI alleged that the former judge had helped the medical college obtain a favourable order despite the regulatory restrictions.
The agency’s allegations also involved other individuals who were suspected of playing different roles in the alleged arrangement. The transfer of the assets case will allow the two connected matters to proceed before courts in Delhi with the appropriate jurisdiction.
Medical College Was Barred From Admitting Students
Prasad Institute of Medical Sciences was among 47 medical colleges that faced restrictions on admitting students for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years. The restrictions were imposed by the Medical Council of India because of concerns about inadequate facilities.
According to the CBI’s allegations, the college challenged the regulatory decision before the Supreme Court but later withdrew its petition and filed a fresh case before the Allahabad High Court.
Investigators alleged that Shukla met the college’s owner along with Justice (Retd.) Quddusi before the favourable order was passed. The allegations are part of the CBI investigation and should not be treated as a final judicial finding of guilt in the criminal cases.
What Happened During The Earlier Inquiry Against Shukla
The allegations also led to an internal inquiry while Shukla was still serving as a High Court judge. The CBI approached then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra to seek an inquiry into the matter.
An in-house committee subsequently concluded that Shukla was guilty of judicial misconduct. Following the report, his judicial and administrative work was withdrawn while further proceedings continued.
In July 2019, the CBI approached then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi for permission to prosecute him. Gogoi granted permission and recommended that the Centre consider his removal. Shukla retired from the Allahabad High Court in July 2020 while the matter remained pending.
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FAQs
The CBI alleges that Narayan Shukla acquired assets worth more than ₹2.5 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2014 and 2019.
The Supreme Court transferred the disproportionate assets case to Delhi because it was connected to an earlier corruption case against the former judge that was already pending there. The move is intended to help the cases proceed more efficiently.
The case has been transferred to the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Rouse Avenue Court in Central Delhi. It was previously pending before a special CBI court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
