Judicial Strength At Risk, Says Delhi HC Bar Association On Justice Singh’s Transfer

The Delhi High Court Bar Association has raised concerns over Justice Chandra Dhari Singh’s transfer to the Allahabad High Court.

Speaking at his farewell, Bar Association President N Hariharan said the move comes at a crucial time and requires deep introspection.

With the transfers of Justices Yashwant Varma and Dinesh Sharma, the Delhi High Court now has 36 judges instead of 39.

The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, recommended Justice Singh’s repatriation in November 2024. The Centre confirmed it on March 28.

Hariharan warned that public faith in the judiciary is eroding. He stated that the legal system, once respected without question, now faces scrutiny and skepticism.

He urged both judges and lawyers to reflect on their responsibilities and restore confidence in the system.

Hariharan also criticized the perception that lawyers focus more on technicalities than justice.

He emphasized that Justice Singh’s transfer highlights the urgent need for the judiciary to address these concerns.

Justice Singh Emphasizes Judicial Integrity

During his farewell speech, Justice Singh said that judging requires both wisdom and empathy.

He stressed that judges must make tough decisions but should never become indifferent.

Additionally, he called for balancing legal reasoning with human sensitivity.

Justice Singh, a first-generation lawyer from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has held key legal positions.

He previously served as Additional Advocate General for Chhattisgarh and represented multiple states in legal matters.

In 2017, he became an Additional Judge at the Allahabad High Court and a permanent judge in 2019. He moved to the Delhi High Court in 2021.

Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya praised Justice Singh’s judicial contributions.

He called him a hardworking and people-oriented judge who handled complex cases in criminal, civil, labor, and arbitration laws.

Notably, in December 2024, Justice Singh denied pre-arrest bail to former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar, accused of fraud in the UPSC exam.

He also refused to quash an FIR against a Hindu College professor for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

As Justice Singh leaves, the legal community reflects on judicial independence and public trust.

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