The Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) has formally requested the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, to reconsider its decision to transfer four judges from the Karnataka High Court. The KSBC expressed concerns that such transfers could disrupt the judiciary’s functioning and erode public confidence in the legal system.
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In a letter addressed to the Collegium, the KSBC highlighted that the abrupt relocation of these experienced judges raises questions about judicial independence, transparency, and institutional stability. The Council emphasized that such decisions might lower morale within the judiciary and weaken trust in the judicial process.
The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the transfers of Justice Krishna Dixit to the Orissa High Court, Justice K. Natarajan to the Kerala High Court, Justice Hemant Chandangoudar to the Madras High Court, and Justice Sanjay Gowda to the Gujarat High Court.
In solidarity with the KSBC’s stance, the Advocates’ Association of Bengaluru (AAB) observed a strike on April 23, 2025, suspending court activities to protest the proposed transfers.
While the Supreme Court has stated that these transfers aim to promote diversity and enhance the quality of judicial administration, the legal community in Karnataka remains apprehensive about the potential impact on the High Court’s efficiency and the broader implications for judicial independence.
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