The Andhra Pradesh Advocates Joint Committee (APAJC) on Tuesday met Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for submitting a representation against the proposal of the Supreme Court Collegium to transfer Justice Battu Devanand and Justice D Ramesh.
The representation said how the recommendations were completely arbitrary in nature have shaken the faith in the independence of the judiciary.
The representation reads that Hon’ble judges are instructed to bear their true allegiance to the Constitution of India, in its letter and spirit to administer the justice, in which process the judicial adversity towards the violation done or injury caused is inevitable for which action.
It further said that the Hon’ble judges cannot be imposed with the transfers, which instils fear in the judicious minds, acts as a note of caution to the other hon’ble sitting judges.
The representation states that the most revered judges, known for their fearless commitment towards rendering justice are the one who are transferred.
It also highlights that they have been the first to question violations of fundamental rights.
Talking about the two judges who have been transferred the association said that both the judges instill confidence in the bar to fight for upholding the Constitutional values and are one of the reasons that the people of the state repose faith in the judiciary.”
The APAJC reminded that these two judges have previously passed orders against government officials found to be in contempt of the High Court’s orders.
The APAJC has requested the Union Minister to ask Supreme Court Collegium to review its previous recommendation.
The Collegium had recently recommended the transfers of Justice Battu Devanand and Justice D Ramesh and five more judges.
Justice Ramesh was recommended for transfer to the Allahabad High Court whereas Justice Devanand was recommended for transfer to the Madras High Court.
The APAJC had made a similar representation to the High Court’s Chief Justice.
It is important to note that the Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocates’ Association (APHCAA) has said that it does not endorse the representation by APAJC.