Over the week end news came in of the Supreme Court Collegium that has summoned Allahabad High Court’s Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav for a meeting next week over his recent remarks against the Muslim community, the Indian Express has reported. Justice Yadav not only attended a meeting of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) but spoke there, spewing hate filled remarks against India’s largest minority, Muslims.
It was on December 8 after delivering a speech at an event organised by the legal cell of Hindu right-wing organisation Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) that these remarks were reportedly made.
The Opposition clock, led by independent member of parliament, senior counsel Kapil Sibal has already submitted an impeachment notice against him. The motion, signed by 55 MPs, is expected to be addressed during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
On December 10, Monday, Sabrangindia had done a detailed story on the sharp reactions to the Judge’s remarks, including letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Sanjeev Khanna by Brinda Karat, polit bureau member of the CPI-M and letters by several advocate organisations and unions. Controversially, on December 15, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP, the state where the remarks were made, Adityanath stated that he “agreed” with the remarks of the Judge!
During his lecture at the VHP function, on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Justice Yadav made controversial remarks asserting that India will operate according to the wishes of the majority population. He also made a series of other controversial remarks during his speech, including the use of the term “kathmullah,” a derogatory slur against Muslims. It was two days later, sources informed Bar & Bench that the top court had taken note of the controversy, with its administrative side calling for details from Allahabad High Court.
The comments made by the sitting judge has led to demands that he be impeached and judicial work be withdrawn from him in the meantime.
The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) had thereafter also filed a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) demanding an in-house enquiry against Justice Yadav. Incidentally, on December 12, Allahabad High Court announced a major change in the roster of Justice Yadav. Effective December 16, he will only be hearing first appeals – cases arising out of orders passed by district courts, and that too only those filed up to 2010.
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