Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal has decided to go on leave from February 18 to March 3, 2025.
Following the development on Monday, President Draupadi Murmu asked senior-most judge, Justice Biren A. Vaishnav, to perform duties of the High Court Chief Justice for the time being.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on February 17 said that in exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President was pleased to appoint Justice Biren Aniruddh Vaishnav, Judge of the Gujarat High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court during the period of absence of Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, who was proceeding on leave from February 18, 2025 up to March 2, 2025.
Earlier on Monday, the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) had adopted a resolution seeking transfer of Chief Justice Agarwal to another High Court within the framework of law.
Adopted during the General Body of GHCAA, the resolution aimed at restoring the faith of the litigants and general public in the judicial system, as well as maintain the sanctity and independence of the High Court.
This would save the face of the judiciary and ensure that such practices did not recur in the future, it added.
The GHCAA resolved to reverse the recent developments, such as sudden changes in the judges’ roster and open disagreements between Chief Justice Agarwal and senior lawyers.
Expressing grave concern over the impact of such actions on the reputation of the High Court and the consequent erosion of public faith in the judicial system, the GHCAA said it would make a representation to the Chief Justice of India and other Supreme Court judges, who were members of the Apex Court Collegium, making them aware about the recent incidents, which had the effect of lowering the image of the administration of justice.
The State Bar Association further said that it would send a copy of the resolution to CJI Sanjiv Khanna.