Transfer Of Judges For Cogent Reasons; Will Disclose Reasons If Found Necessary: SC Reacts To Controversy [Read Statement]

Reacting to the ongoing controversy after tendering of resignation by Madras High Court Chief Justice Vijay K. Tahilaramani protesting SC Collegium's decision to transfer her to Meghalaya High Court, the Secretary General of the Supreme Court has issued a statement that its recommendations for transfer was made for cogent reasons after complying with the required procedure in the interest of better administration of justice.

Though it would not be in the interest of the institution to disclose the reasons for transfer, if found necessary, the Collegium will have no hesitation in disclosing the same, the statement read.

SC Secretary General Sanjeev S. Kalgaonkar issued the following statement on Thursday

Certain reports relating to recommendations recently made by the Collegium regarding transfer of Chief Justices/Judges of the High Courts have appeared in the media. As directed, it is stated that each of the recommendations for transfer was made for cogent reasons after complying with the required procedure in the interest of better administration of justice. Though it would not be in the interest of the institution to disclose the reasons for transfer, if found necessary, the Collegium will have no hesitation in disclosing the same. Further each of the recommendations was made after full and complete deliberations and the same were unanimously agreed upon by the Collegium 

Transfer of Chief Justice Tahilaramani

Justice Tahilramani was a judge of Bombay High Court for seventeen years, and had served as its Acting Chief Justice for few months. From August 2018, she has been serving as the Chief Justice of Madras High Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 75 judges.

In a decision made on September 3, the collegium consisting of CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justices Bobde, Ramana, Arun Mishra and Nariman recommended that Justice Tahilramani -the senior most among HC Chief Justices in the country - be transferred to Meghalaya HC from Madras High Court. Later, the Collegium rejected her request for reconsideration of transfer proposal merely stated "it is not possible to accede to her request".

At the same time, Justice A K Mittal, who is junior to Justice Tahilramani in service by almost two and a half years, is proposed to be brought to Madras HC within three months of his taking charge as CJ of Meghalaya HC.

Click here to Read/Download Statement