Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal expressed strong criticism on Tuesday regarding Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Yadav’s controversial statements at a VHP event, declaring them “hate speech” violating his judicial oath. Sibal announced that he and fellow opposition MPs are preparing to submit a notice for the judge’s impeachment motion. According to inside sources, this notice will be filed within the coming days.
The contentious remarks were delivered on Sunday at Judge Yadav’s address at a provincial gathering of the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s Legal Cell and High Court Unit in Allahabad High Court. The following day, video clips surfaced showing the judge discussing sensitive topics, including comments about law enforcement being influenced by majority sentiment. These statements prompted immediate backlash from various opposition groups, who condemned the remarks as inflammatory hate speech.
“When a judge makes such declarations, it constitutes a clear violation of their oath of office. Such behavior disqualifies them from holding their judicial position,” Sibal stated during a media briefing. “The presence of such rhetoric from a high court judge raises serious concerns about the appointment process. It’s equally concerning how such individuals feel emboldened to make these statements. We must question why such incidents have become more frequent over the past decade,” the veteran lawyer emphasized.
Sibal emphasized that the Supreme Court possesses the authority to remove such individuals from their positions and recommended that, in the interim, no cases should be assigned to the judge in question. The matter gained additional significance when the Supreme Court, responding to news reports about Justice Yadav’s speech at the VHP function, formally requested detailed information from the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday regarding the incident.
SC takes note, seeks details from Allahabad HC after Justice Shekhar Yadav’s comments at the VHP event
The Supreme Court on Tuesday initiated a judicial inquiry, requesting comprehensive information from the Allahabad High Court following media coverage of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav’s address at a VHP gathering. The apex court, taking cognizance of the sitting high court judge’s reported speech, directed the Allahabad High Court to provide detailed documentation regarding the incident.
“The Supreme Court has acknowledged the media reports concerning a speech delivered by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who currently serves as a judge in the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The High Court has been instructed to submit relevant details and particulars, and the matter remains under active consideration,” according to an official communication.
During his address at a provincial convention organized by the legal cell and high court unit of the Vishva Hindu Parishad in Allahabad High Court, the judge emphasized that the uniform civil code’s primary objective is to foster social harmony, gender equality, and secularism. The December 8 speech gained widespread attention when footage emerged the following day, showing the judge discussing contentious issues, including statements about law enforcement aligning with majority interests. These remarks sparked intense criticism from various opposition parties, who challenged his statements and categorized them as hate speech.