SC Judge Raises Alarm Over Executive Interference in Judicial Transfers: 'Sad Day If...'

• Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed serious concern over the Supreme Court Collegium altering a transfer proposal for a High Court judge after the Central Government sought reconsideration.
• He emphasized that transfers and postings of judges fall exclusively within the judiciary’s authority, stating the Central Government has no say in the matter.
• The Collegium revised its recommendation for Justice Atul Sreedharan, transferring him to Allahabad High Court instead of Chhattisgarh High Court, explicitly citing "reconsideration sought by the Government."
• Justice Bhuyan warned that such executive influence reveals a striking intrusion into an independent process and defeats the purpose of the Collegium system.
• He stressed that judicial independence is non-negotiable and judges must uphold their oath without fear or favor, guarding against internal and external pressures.

Why It Matters: A Supreme Court judge warns against executive interference in judicial transfers, calling it a threat to judicial independence.