Supreme Court seeks report from Allahabad HC Over Justice SK Yadav's remarks on Muslims
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought details from the Allahabad High Court following controversial statements made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav during an event organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad's legal cell on December 8.
Justice Yadav, addressing the topic of the Uniform Civil Code, asserted that India would function according to the wishes of the majority community, calling it the "law of the land." He further stated that the welfare of the majority population must take precedence.
The remarks included the use of the term "kathmullah," considered a slur, to describe individuals he alleged were harmful to national progress. He also criticised certain practices within the Muslim community, such as animal slaughter during religious ceremonies, claiming it hindered tolerance among children.
Justice Yadav expressed confidence that India would soon enact the Uniform Civil Code, claiming it as a constitutional necessity.
The speech has triggered widespread criticism, with organisations like the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) filing complaints with the Chief Justice of India. The CJAR demanded an in-house inquiry into the judge's conduct, citing concerns over the judiciary's neutrality and independence.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the remarks. Mehdi announced plans to move an impeachment motion in Parliament under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, citing Justice Yadav's statements as grounds for removal.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John called the speech an "assault on the Constitution," emphasising that such conduct is unbecoming of a sitting judge. Calls for the withdrawal of Justice Yadav's judicial duties have also surfaced.
The Supreme Court's administrative wing is currently reviewing the matter.
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Nightclub fire: Goa court remands Luthra brothers in police custody for five days
Panaji (PTI): A court in North Goa on Wednesday remanded Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in police custody for five days.
The brothers, brought to Goa from Delhi after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 blaze that killed 25, were produced in the court after undergoing health check-ups twice at the District Hospital in North Goa.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Mapusa Puja Sardesai remanded the two brothers in police custody for five days.
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi who lost four family members in the tragedy, said that the accused were asking for “special consideration” claiming poor health.
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“We said they should not be given any extra relaxation,” he said, adding that the court has taken cognisance of the fact that this is about the death of “25 people in the form of mass genocide”.
“But since they kept pressing for medical check-up, the court ordered reexamination of their health. It is clear in the medical examination that they don’t require any consideration. The accused sought special considerations in the lock-up like a good mattress, which the court refused,” said Joshi.
A team of the Goa Police, along with the Luthra brothers, arrived at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in North Goa at 10.45 am.
The duo was initially taken to a Primary Health Centre at Siolim for medical examination. They were then taken to the District Hospital at Mapusa.
After their health assessment, the two were brought to the court.
The court directed that the accused be sent for fresh medical examination. Accordingly, the two were again taken to the District Hospital.
Later, they were produced before Judge Sardesai, who ordered the five-day police custody of the accused.
After the fire tragedy at Arpora village, the Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand. A court there allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand.
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The duo had fled to Phuket in Thailand early on December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.
They were detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government, which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
