Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Tension flared outside the Gujarat High Court on Thursday as hundreds of lawyers staged a massive protest against the transfer of Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, ordered by the Supreme Court Collegium. The Gujarat High Court Advocates Association (GHCAA) announced an indefinite strike, halting judicial proceedings and leaving more than 5,000 cases in limbo.
The Supreme Court Collegium recently recommended the transfer of 14 High Court judges across India, including Justice Bhatt to the Madhya Pradesh High Court and Justice C.M. Roy to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The decision has sparked sharp opposition from the Gujarat Bar.
“We strongly oppose the transfer of Justice Sandeep Bhatt. This decision undermines judicial independence and impacts the functioning of the Gujarat High Court,” said GHCAA President Brijesh Trivedi, while addressing protesting advocates.
Lawyers outside the court raised slogans of “Ekta Zindabad” and vowed to continue their strike until the collegium reconsiders its decision. GHCAA Secretary Hardik Brahmabhatt confirmed that a representation would be submitted to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and other collegium members demanding a stay on the transfer.
The CJI has already met with the GHCAA committee, though no immediate resolution was announced. Meanwhile, the indefinite strike has disrupted crucial hearings, including the bail plea of Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, who has been in jail since July 5 on charges of assault following a dispute with BJP leader Sanjay Vasava.
Legal experts expressed concern over the judicial paralysis. Senior lawyer Ramesh Vora remarked, “When lawyers stop work, justice delivery suffers the most. Thousands of litigants are left waiting. The collegium must take note of the ground realities.”
As the protest continues, uncertainty looms over when court proceedings will resume. If the second session is conducted, some hearings may go forward, but lawyers have warned of intensifying their agitation if demands are ignored.
The protest marks one of the most serious confrontations between the Gujarat Bar and the Supreme Court collegium in recent years, raising broader questions about transparency and judicial transfers.
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