Opposition slams Ex-BJP spokesperson Aarti Sathe’s Bombay HC appointment, cites judicial concerns
Mumbai: The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation to appoint advocate Aarti Arun Sathe as a judge of the Bombay High Court has triggered intense political debate and constitutional concerns in Maharashtra. Critics allege that the move compromises the doctrine of separation of powers, a foundational principle of India’s democracy.
The controversy stems from Sathe’s recent political past. A seasoned tax lawyer with over 20 years of experience, Aarti Sathe served as the head of the BJP’s legal cell in Mumbai and was officially appointed as the party’s spokesperson in February 2023. She resigned from that position and gave up her primary membership of the BJP in January 2024, citing "personal and professional reasons."
However, just 19 months after serving as a public representative of the ruling party, her name was recommended on July 28, 2025, by the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice B. R Gavai, for appointment to the Bombay High Court. This has sparked concerns about judicial neutrality and raised the spectre of political interference in judicial appointments.
Leading the criticism is NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar, who posted the BJP’s official appointment letter of Sathe on social media, questioning whether a person who publicly represented the ruling party can now deliver judgments free from political bias.
“Appointing a party spokesperson as a judge is nothing short of a betrayal of democracy,” Pawar said. “Can anyone assure us that such a person’s judgments will be entirely free of political motivation? Doesn’t this cast a shadow of doubt over the entire judicial process?” he asked.
Pawar further questioned whether this appointment violates the basic constitutional principle of separation between the executive and the judiciary. “Isn’t this an attempt to turn the judiciary into a political arena?” he remarked. “The common citizen comes to court expecting impartial justice. Such appointments shake the very foundation of that belief,” he added.
He clarified that his objections were not to Sathe’s professional credentials but to the timing and political context of her appointment. “This recommendation should be reviewed, and the Chief Justices must intervene to issue appropriate guidance,” Pawar urged.
The Maharashtra Congress echoed similar concerns. “Appointing a BJP spokesperson as a judge is the height of political mockery. It is an insult to democracy,” said a party spokesperson.
The BJP has staunchly defended the recommendation. “Sathe resigned from both the spokesperson post and the party over a year ago. She currently has no ties with the BJP,” said Navnath Ban, head of BJP’s media department.
BJP national spokesperson Keshav Upadhye went a step further, citing past instances of political figures being appointed to the bench. “Justice Baharul Islam was a Rajya Sabha MP from the Congress and was later appointed to the judiciary before returning to Parliament. What does the Congress and Rohit Pawar have to say about that?” he asked.
According to Upadhye, Sahthe’s selection was based entirely on merit and followed due process by the Collegium.
Currently, the Bombay High Court operates with only 66 judges out of a sanctioned strength of 94, highlighting the urgent need to fill vacancies. However, critics warn that addressing judicial shortages must not come at the cost of compromising the independence of the judiciary.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
ALSO READ: “Bleeding on the road, I begged for help but no one came”: Bengaluru woman recounts husband’s death
The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
