Collegium to meet HC judge amid row over controversial remarks

The Supreme Court collegium is set to hear justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad high court explain his controversial remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event, as the top five judges of the apex court consider options ranging from counselling the judge to taking more decisive measures, including an in-house inquiry, based on the outcome of the deliberations. Justice Yadav’s purported remarks on December 8, targeting the Muslim community and invoking themes of majority rule and the Uniform Civil Code, triggered sharp criticism from political and legal circles Justice Yadav’s purported remarks on December 8, targeting the Muslim community and invoking themes of majority rule and the Uniform Civil Code, triggered sharp criticism from political and legal circles, raising significant questions about judicial impartiality and propriety. Justice Yadav’s remarks included assertions such as: “This is Hindustan, and this country would function as per the wishes of the ‘bahusankhyak’ ” and “Only a Hindu can make this country a ‘Vishwa Guru’.” The comments also addressed issues like triple talaq and halala, with justice Yadav reportedly arguing that these practices should be abolished under the UCC. The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms also demanded an in-house inquiry into Justice Yadav’s conduct, alleging that his remarks violated the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life” adopted by the Supreme Court in 1997.