Justice Shekhar Yadav likely to appear before SC Collegium over comments at VHP event
New Delhi (PTI): Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who purportedly made controversial statements at a VHP function, is likely to appear before the Supreme Court Collegium soon to explain his stand on the controversy.
The top court on December 10 took note of news reports over the statements and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court on the entire issue.
"The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court and the matter is under consideration," an official statement had said.
As per the established practices, the judge, against whom a report is sought by the apex court Collegium on any controversial issue from the high court concerned, is given an opportunity to put forth his or her version before the top court Collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Apex court sources said the Allahabad High Court judge is likely to be asked to appear and put forth his version as per established practices.
At a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) function on December 8, Justice Yadav said the main aim of the uniform civil code was to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism.
He was addressing a provincial convention of the legal cell and high court unit of the VHP in Allahabad High Court.
A day later, videos of the judge speaking on provocative issues, including the law working according to the majority, were circulated widely on social media, prompting strong reactions from several quarters, including opposition leaders who questioned his reported statements, labelling it as "hate speech".
Lawyer and convenor of Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, an NGO, Prashant Bhushan on Tuesday wrote to CJI Sanjiv Khanna seeking an "in-house enquiry" into the conduct of the Allahabad HC judge.
Bhushan claimed the judge breached judicial ethics and violated the constitutional principles of impartiality and secularism.
According to Bhushan, the remarks undermined the judiciary's role as a neutral arbiter and eroded public trust in its independence.
"A strong institutional response is needed to restore public faith in the judiciary," the letter said, adding, "We call upon your office sir (the CJI) to restore the faith of the people in the institution of judiciary by immediately setting up an in-house committee to enquire into acts of judicial impropriety by Justice Yadav and by withdrawing all judicial work from Justice Yadav," Bhushan wrote.
On December 8, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat also wrote to the CJI calling the judge's speech a violation of his oath, saying "no place for such persons in a court of justice".
Karat sought action from the apex court on the issue.
Similarly, the Bar Association of India passed a resolution condemning the statements of the high court judge.
"The Bar Association of India calls upon the judge to retract his statements and tender a suitable apology for his remarks and urges the Chief Justice of India and companion judges of the Supreme Court to deal with this issue in a stern and emphatic manner. It also emphasises that events conducted by organisations not concerned with the administration of justice as a matter of principle should not be permitted on any court premises," it said.
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Maharashtra secures historic sword of Raghuji Bhosale in London auction
LONDON/MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has acquired the sword of Raghuji Bhosale, founder of the Nagpur Bhosale dynasty and a distinguished commander in the Maratha army under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, after winning it in an auction in London.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar formally took possession of the weapon on Monday. It is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on 18 August, where it will be received with ceremonial honours, as reported by The Indian Express.
News of the sword’s availability surfaced on 28 April this year. Minister Shelar consulted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after which the government began preparations to participate in the auction.
A group of Marathi-speaking residents in London gathered to witness the handover. Hemant Dalvi, Deputy Director of the Archaeology Department, accompanied the minister during the formalities.
The sword is an 18th-century Maratha Firangi. It has a straight, single-edged European blade with a gold-inlaid Mulheri hilt and near the hilt is the European manufacturer’s name, while the spine bears a gold-inlaid Devanagari inscription reading “Shreemant Raghoji Bhosale Senasahib Subha Firang,” confirming its connection to Raghuji Bhosale. The hilt’s gold koftgari work and the green cloth-wrapped rounded pommel add to its rarity as Maratha weapons of the period typically lacked elaborate ornamentation or inscriptions.
Raghuji Bhosale I, ruled from Nagpur between 1695 and 1755. He expanded Maratha influence into Bengal, Odisha, Chanda, Chhattisgarh, Sambalpur and parts of southern India. His military campaigns, included victories over the Nawabs of Bengal, Cuddapah and Kurnool. The Nagpur kingdom was also known for its rich deposits of iron and copper, used for weapons and trade.
While few historians believe that the sword left India in the early 19th century, as part of the war booty taken by the British East India Company after their victory over the Bhosales at the Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, others say it was taken later as a diplomatic gift.
The sword will be escorted from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to PL Deshpande Kala Academy in Dadar by a ceremonial bike rally upon its arrival in Mumbai next week. A cultural programme titled Gad Garjana will be held the same day in the presence of state dignitaries.
Minister Shelar described the acquisition as an important moment for Maharashtra’s heritage and extended his thanks to the Chief Minister, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar for their support in securing the artefact.
