Justice Bibek Chaudhuri of the Calcutta high court commented on the recent transfers of 24 high court judges recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in August this year.

In his farewell speech on Nov 20, justice Chaudhuri said, “The chief justice always tells me that I am an outspoken judge. So, since this is the last meeting with you, I must say that I consider myself part of history.”

He went on to say, “During the 1975 Emergency, 16 judges of different high courts were transferred by an executive decision in one go. After almost 48 years, 24 judges have been transferred from one high court to another by the Supreme Court Collegium in one go. So, I am one of the beginners in the shift of power from the hands of the executive to the hands of the highest seat of the judiciary.”

He added, “In 1983, the Indian Government’s policy mandated that 1/3rd of all high court judges be from outside the State. By our transfer, it is the beginning of implementation of that policy.” 

Who is justice Bibek Chaudhari?

Justice Chaudhari, a judge of the Calcutta high court since 2018, was transferred to the Patna high court on Aug 3 by the SC Collegium. He was elevated to the bench from judicial service and became a permanent judge in May 2020.

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