Supreme Court Collegium Rebukes Justice Shekhar Yadav For His Controversial Speech (Photo Screengrab on @akash_indian02)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday admonished Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who recently made a controversial speech at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event. The top court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna counselled the High Court judge, asking him to maintain the dignity of the constitutional post. The apex court collegium, while observing that the statement was “avoidable,” asked the judge to remain cautious when delivering public speech, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.

Justice Yadav, while attending the VHP event on December 10, stated that India should be run on the wishes of the majority, adding that the primary objective of the uniform civil code was to promote social harmony and secularism. The comment targeting the Muslim community and other religious minorities drew sharp flak from the opposition and public alike, with many raising concern over the judicial impartiality.

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The video of the judge’s remark went viral on social media, and many, including Prashant Bhushan, convenor of the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (an NGO), and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, wrote to the Chief Justice demanding action against justice Yadav.

In his letter to the CJI, Prasant Bhushan sought an in-house inquiry into the conduct of the High Court judge, alleging him of breaching judicial ethics and violating constitutional principles of impartiality and secularism. While calling for a committee to investigate Yadav’s actions, the senior lawyer sought immediate withdrawal of all judicial duties from him to restore public faith in the judiciary.

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However, as per multiple reports, the collegium reviewed a transcript of Justice Yadav’s speech at the VHP event. The judge was also asked to explain his remarks and clarify key aspects of the controversy as per the standard procedure regarding the controversial speech.

The opposition had last week moved an impeachment bid against the High Court judge, with around 55 lawmakers submitting notice to the secretary general of the Rajya Sabha.