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.
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Goa nightclub fire: Owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra fled to Phuket after tragedy, say police
Panaji (PTI): Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, fled to Phuket hours after the tragedy, Goa Police said on Monday.
"Goa Police have taken further steps to coordinate with the Interpol Division of the CBI to apprehend both Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at the earliest," a senior police officer said.
A massive fire at the nightclub, some 25 kilometres away from Panaji, on late Saturday night killed 25 persons. The deceased comprised 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi. Five injured people were undergoing treatment at the government-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
After registering an FIR against them, a Look Out Circular was issued against them by December 7 by the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) at the request of the Goa Police.
The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai was contacted, and it was found that both the accused had taken the 6E 1073 flight to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, immediately after the fire incident, which occurred around midnight, the officer said.
READ ALSO: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said the Goa Police had immediately dispatched a team to Delhi to conduct raids on the addresses of the accused Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra.
"Since they were not available, a notice under the appropriate sections of law was pasted on the gate of their house. This shows their intent to avoid the police investigation", he said.
Goa Police have obtained transit remand of Bharat Kohli, an employee of the club, and are bringing him to Goa.
He also said that the postmortem on all 25 deceased has been completed and bodies handed over to their families.
