The SC collegium meets Justice Yadav whose remarks at a VHP event sparked controversy

Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav file. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements

The Supreme Court collegium on Tuesday met Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, whose reported remarks at a VHP event prompted opposition lawmakers to move an impeachment motion in the Rajya Sabha.

The meeting could be an opportunity for Justice Yadav to interact with the collegium about media reports citing his alleged comments at the event.

The Supreme Court issued a statement on December 10, which took note of news reports about communally charged comments made by Justice Yadav at a VHP event on December 8.

The statement said the court had sought details from the Allahabad High Court and “the matter was pending”.

In light of Justice Yadav’s comments, the All India Lawyers’ Association wrote to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna, saying the judge’s comments were skewed away from democracy and towards a “Hindutva nation”.

The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, in a letter to the CJI led by advocate Prashant Bhushan, accused Justice Yadav of participating in a “right-wing programme” and that his communally charged statements were a brazen violation of his oath of office.

CPI(M) leader Vrinda Karat had written to the CJI, calling the judge’s speech a violation of his oath, saying “there is no place for such people in the court of justice”.