Petitioner challenges appointment of additional Bombay HC judge

Mumbai: A petition has been filed in the Bombay high court (HC) challenging appointment of additional high court judge justice Sandip Shinde. Petitioner Ulhas Naik who is also a lawyer by profession had filed the petition, which will be heard, in the first week of January. The petitioner alleged that compulsory retirement was given to justice Mr Shinde in the public interest when he was serving as a district judge and the collegium, which appoint HC judges, had rejected his recommendation twice.

According to the petition, the appointment of Justice Sandeep Shinde is null and void and should be quashed, and he should not be allowed to work till a decision on the petition is pending.

Mr Naik stated in his petition that on February 13, 2017, he had made a presentation before then Chief Justice of India J.S. Kehar and other judges of the collegium to hold an enquiry against Mr Shinde.

The petitioner stated that the erstwhile Chief Justice of the Bombay HC Manjula Chellur was pleased to take cognisance of the petitioner’s presentations and the matter is under investigation as per the reply received by the petitioner from the high court.

The petitioner also said that during the pendency of the investigation, Mr Shinde was inadvertently elevated as additional judge of the HC.