The Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association (GHCAA) on Monday resolved to seek transfer of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal to another High Court..This follows a series of controversies at the High Court, including sudden changes in judges' roster and open disagreements between Chief Justice Agarwal and senior lawyers."The House further resolves to take appropriate steps, including seeking transfer of the Hon'ble Chief Justice within the framework of law, to ensure that the faith of the litigants and the public is restored and that such practices do not recur in the future," the General Body of the GHCAA said in a resolution today. .Chief Justice Agarwal had last week changed the roster of a judge soon after he flagged the conduct of a judicial officer posted in the court registry. The GHCAA resolution refers to the detailed report published by Bar & Bench last week in this regard. Senior Counsel Asim Pandya had demanded GHCAA to speak up against the sudden changes of the roster, including of another judge. Pursuant to these events, a meeting of the GHCAA general body was held..Earlier, GHCAA President Brijesh Trivedi too had engaged in a heated exchange with Chief Justice Agarwal in the open court. Trivedi had alleged that the Chief Justice never allows lawyers including Senior Advocates to complete their arguments.Though that the matter was apparently resolved later, the latest changes in the roster once again sparked criticism against Chief Justice Agarwal, prompting the bar body to step in. .In the meeting held today, there was some disagreement over whether Chief Justice's transfer should be sought or not. The question was put to vote and majority supported the move."Majority of the members of the Bar, present in the meeting, insisted to insert the words "... including seeking transfer of the Hon'ble Chief Justice". Since few members of the Bar had objected to such insertion, the proposal was put to vote and according majority of members voted in favour of such addition.".Besides the demand for transfer, GHCAA has resolved the following,1. The House unanimously resolves that the faith of the people needs to be restored by reversing the recent development, to save the face of judiciary; thereby restoring the sanctity and independence.2. The House expresses grave concern over the impact of such actions on the reputation of the Gujarat High Court and the consequent erosion of public faith in the judicial system.3. The House unanimously decides that a representation be made to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India and other Collegium Judges of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, of recent incident which has had the effect of lowering the image of the administration of justice..The GHCAA has decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Chief Justice of India..[Read Resolution]
