New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) In a significant development, the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) has urged the Supreme Court Collegium to revisit its decision recommending the transfer of four sitting judges of the Karnataka High Court.
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Wednesday, the Council expressed serious concern over the sudden transfer orders, citing issues of judicial independence, transparency, and institutional stability.
The KSBC stated that such abrupt transfers could have a demoralising effect on the judiciary and erode public confidence in the justice delivery system.
“Once again, we the members of the Karnataka State Bar Council, representing the entire legal fraternity of Karnataka, request your good self to reconsider the issue of transfer of four Hon’ble Judges of High Court of Karnataka to other High Courts,” the letter read, urging the Collegium to withdraw the transfer orders.
The Council emphasised that the Karnataka High Court, being one of the busiest in the country, heavily depends on the experience and expertise of its judges. Sudden reshuffling, it warned, could severely impact the court’s efficiency and contribute to delays in justice delivery.
The letter called for a transparent, well-justified approach to transfers, especially at a time when judicial pendency remains a pressing concern.
The Supreme Court Collegium had, on April 21, recommended the transfer of four judges: Justice Krishna Dixit to the Orissa High Court, Justice K Natarajan to the Kerala High Court, Justice Hemant Chandangoudar to the Madras High Court, and Justice Sanjay Gowda to the Gujarat High Court.
According to the statement published on the Supreme Court’s website, the Collegium said the transfers were aimed at enhancing inclusivity and diversity within the higher judiciary and strengthening the administration of justice across High Courts.
The collegium’s decision has sparked unrest among members of the legal community in Karnataka. In a show of dissent, the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru (AAB), abstained from court work on April 23 as a mark of protest against the recommended transfers.
The matter continues to stir debate around the process of judicial transfers and the need for greater transparency and consultation in decisions affecting the functioning and independence of the judiciary.
