Lawyers' Associations Write To CJI Khanna To Reconsider Proposed Transfer Of Four Karnataka High Court Judges

Lawyers and various Advocates Associations in Karnataka have raised concerns about the proposed transfer of four Judges from the High Court to other courts in the country by the Supreme Court Collegium and have written to the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna to reconsider the same.

Recently the Supreme Collegium has recommended that transfer of seven High Court Judges–four of them from the Karnataka High Court- with a view to "infuse inclusivity and diversity" and "to strengthen the quality of administration of justice." The Karnataka High Court judges whose transfer has been recommended are:

1. Justice Heman Chandanagoudar from Karnataka HC to Madras HC.

2. Justice Krishnan Natarajan from Karnataka HC to Kerala HC.

3. Justice Neranahalli Srinivasan Sanjay Gowda from Karnataka HC to Gujarat HC.

4. Justice Dixit Krishna Sripad from Karnataka HC to Orissa HC

Letter by Advocates Association (High Court of Karnataka Dharwad Bench) 

Recently, the Advocates Association (High Court of Karnataka Dharwad Bench) wrote to the Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stating that “The members of the Bar across the State of Karnataka are in a State of disbelief on hearing the rumours about the intended or proposed transfer of few of the best legal minds serving as Hon'ble Judges of the High Court of Karnataka. The members understand that the proposal is to transfer, Hon'ble Mr. Justice, Krishna Dixit, Hon'ble Mr. Justice K. Natarajan, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Hemant Chandangoudar and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sanjay Gouda, to other High Courts.”

The Communication dated April 17, stated that “The members can vouch for their selfless service, unquestionable integrity, unmatched legal acumen, empathy and efficiency. It is indeed disheartening for the members of the bar and must be demoralizing for the judges who are known for utmost efficiency, sense of justice, equity and good conscience. The proposal to transfer these fine legal minds would deprive the members of the Bar and the litigant public is certain to have a disruptive and crippling effect on the working of the High Court of Karnataka and deal a deadly blow to the morale of the members of the Bar and the litigant public surely to be devastating.”

The letter also read that it is the firm resolve of the members of this Bar that they are unwilling to let go of these judges from the High Court of Karnataka in the interest of litigant public, members of the Bar and in view of the fact that the step is retrogressive and works as a spanner in the wheel.

Advocates' Association Bengaluru

Similarly, on April 19, The Advocates Association Bengaluru wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India raising concerns about the news of transfer proposal of few judges from Karnataka High court.

The Association has in its letter requested the Chief Justice to give time to the office bearers of the Advocates Association Bangalore and few of the senior counsels to meet in this regard and explain the mood and sentiments of the Advocates of the State.

It is said “It is learnt that consent is sought from some judges for transfer from Karnataka High Court to different High courts. Members of the Bar at Bangalore and Karnataka are unanimously against the transfer of many of the judges proposed for transfer. It is unfortunate that Judges who have been responsive to litigants, lawyers and who have been hard working are made part of the proposal for transfer. It will be tantamount to great injustice if such good and hardworking judges are transferred.”

It added “Further it will be difficult if such judges who are working beyond time and rendering quick and efficient justice are abruptly transferred. Therefore in view of the unanimous views and demand of the Advocate fraternity, we request the collegium to immediately withdraw the proposed transfer as the entire Bangalore Bar is against the said proposal.”

"Therefore in view of the unanimous views and demand of the Advocate fraternity, we request the collegium to immediately withdraw the proposed transfer as the entire Bangalore Bar is against to the said proposal," it states. 

Letter by collective of young advocates to CJI Khanna

Around 200 junior members of Bar and practising in the High Court also wrote to the Chief Justice of India in its April 19 letter voicing deep concern over the proposed transfer of certain sitting Judges of the Karnataka High Court. The letter addressed to the CJI has requested to "reconsider the transfers" in the interest of preserving integrity of judiciary.

They have emphasized that the Judges in question are widely respected for their fairness, judicial discipline, and a deeply encouraging approach towards young lawyers. The signatories have highlighted how these Judges have cultivated courtrooms where junior advocates are heard with patience and adjudicated based solely on the merit of their arguments — a rare and invaluable judicial temperament.

Further the letter conveys disappointment and concern over the lack of any stated rationale for the proposed transfers, especially when the Judges concerned have consistently demonstrated integrity, impartiality, and judicial efficiency. The advocates underscore that while transfers may be administrative in nature, they carry significant implications for the morale of the Bar, particularly for younger lawyers who are in the formative stages of their practice.

While acknowledging the wisdom and prerogative of the Hon'ble Collegium, the signatories have expressed a sense of responsibility to voice their views— not as critics, but as beneficiaries of a judicial environment that encourages learning, merit, and ethical lawyering. They have appealed for transparency and reconsideration in the larger interest of preserving public confidence in the independence and institutional integrity of the judiciary.

Click here to read letter by Advocates Association (High Court of Dharwad Bench)

Click here to read letter by Advocates Association Bengaluru

Click here to read letter by Young Advocates