Gujarat HC work hit as lawyers abstain from work to protest judge’s proposed transfer
The Supreme Court collegium is considering the transfer of 14 high court judges, including Justice Sandeep Bhatt of the Gujarat High Court.
3 min read
On Thursday, as the courtrooms of the Gujarat High Court remained deserted, most sitting judges adjourned the hearings for the day in the absence of the advocates. (File Photo)The functioning of the Gujarat High Court was impacted on Thursday after the Gujarat High Court Advocates Association (GHCAA) continued to abstain from judicial work in protest of the proposed transfer of sitting judge, Justice Sandeep Bhatt.
The GHCAA had on Tuesday passed a resolution to abstain from work after the news of the proposed transfer was considered by the Supreme Court Collegium.
On Thursday, as the courtrooms of the Gujarat High Court remained deserted, most sitting judges adjourned the hearings for the day in the absence of the advocates.
Advocate Virat Popat, Vice-President of GHCAA, told The Indian Express that a delegation of the association is meeting Chief Justice of India B R Gavai in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon, following which, the association is likely to pass a new resolution about attending to work on Friday morning.
“The general body has decided to continue with the earlier resolution (passed Tuesday) to abstain from work. A delegation of GHCAA is meeting the Chief Justice of India to discuss the issue (of the transfer of Justice Sandeep Bhatt) this afternoon. Based on the outcome of their meeting with the CJI, we will decide about Friday’s court work,” Popat said.
While a few courtrooms saw party-in-person hearings, most matters listed for the day were adjourned “in absence of advocates”. Among the listed matters on Thursday was the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Dediapada in Narmada district, Chaitar Vasava, who has been lodged in jail since his arrest on July 5 in an alleged case of attempt to murder lodged by a BJP leader of his constituency. Vasava, whose matter has been listed and adjourned thrice in the past, has moved the high court for regular bail before the filing of the chargesheet in his case.
The GHCAA had called an Extraordinary General Body Meeting on Tuesday afternoon, soon after the news of a Supreme Court collegium considering the transfer of 14 high court judges became public. The proposed transfers included that of Justice Sandeep Bhatt of the Gujarat High Court. The GHCAA announced abstinence from work with immediate effect, with most post-lunch proceedings at the high court adjourned for the day on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court collegium is yet to officially release the transfers. In a message to fellow advocates, the GHCAA had stated on Tuesday that it has formed a delegation comprising GHCAA president Brijesh Trivedi, senior advocates Mihir Joshi and Asim Pandya and advocates Hardik Brahmabhatt and Dipen Dave, who will also make a representation before the Supreme Court to revoke the proposed transfer of Justice Bhatt.
Wednesday was a court holiday on account of Ganesh Chaturthi.
You May Like
