The Speaker of the Lok Sabha Sri Om Birla has constituted a three-member Inquiry Committee, as mandated by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to investigate allegations of misbehaviour against Hon’ble Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court. The high-level committee comprises a sitting Supreme Court Judge, a High Court Chief Justice, and a distinguished jurist-Senior Advocate.
Members of the Committee are :
1. Justice Aravind Kumar, Supreme Court Judge.
2. Justice MM Shrivastava, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
3. Senior Advocate Vasudeva Acharya of Karnataka HC.
Lets know about the members of the committee in detail:
Who is Justice Aravind Kumar?
Justice Aravind Kumar is a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, having been elevated to the apex court on February 13, 2023. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served as the 26th Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. Known for his administrative acumen and focus on judicial efficiency, Justice Kumar’s career is marked by a steady rise through the judiciary, from his early days as an advocate to his current position at the highest court of the land.
Born on July 14, 1962, in Karnataka, Justice Aravind Kumar completed his B.Com from National College, Bengaluru, and obtained his law degree from the University Law College, Bengaluru. He enrolled as an advocate in 1987.
His legal career began in the trial courts, where he practiced for approximately three years before shifting his focus to the High Court of Karnataka in 1990. In 1999, he was appointed as an Additional Central Government Standing Counsel at the Karnataka High Court. His expertise in taxation law led to his appointment as a Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department in 2002. In 2005, he was appointed as the Assistant Solicitor General of India. Throughout his career as an advocate, he handled a wide array of cases covering constitutional law, central excise, customs, and criminal law, and also served as a legal advisor to various statutory corporations.
Judicial Career
Karnataka High Court (2009-2021)
Justice Kumar’s judicial career commenced with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on June 26, 2009. He became a permanent judge of the court on December 7, 2012. During his tenure, he was part of several significant benches. Notably, he was on the bench that monitored the implementation of COVID-19 protocols in the state.
Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court (2021-2023)
Justice Kumar was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court and took his oath of office on October 13, 2021. His tenure as Chief Justice was distinguished by his proactive measures to tackle the pendency of cases. He introduced the innovative concept of “justice clocks” in courtrooms, which were digital monitors displaying the rate of case disposal. This initiative aimed to enhance transparency and accountability in the judicial process. Under his leadership, the court reportedly maintained a high rate of case clearance.
Supreme Court of India (2023-Present)
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the elevation of Justice Aravind Kumar to the Supreme Court, and he was formally appointed on February 13, 2023. Since joining the apex court, he has been a part of benches that have delivered several important judgments.
Justice Aravind Kumar is scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on July 13, 2027.
Who is Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava?
Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava is currently the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. Born on March 6, 1964, in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Justice Shrivastava embarked on his legal journey after obtaining his LL.B. degree. He enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh on October 5, 1987. His practice primarily focused on constitutional, service, and taxation matters at the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur.
His acumen and legal expertise led to his designation as a Senior Advocate on January 31, 2005. His distinguished career at the bar culminated in his elevation as a Judge of the High Court of Chhattisgarh on December 10, 2009.
After a notable tenure at the Chhattisgarh High Court, Justice Shrivastava was transferred to the Rajasthan High Court, where he took oath on October 18, 2021. During his time at the Rajasthan High Court, he shouldered the responsibilities of Acting Chief Justice on three separate occasions, demonstrating his leadership and judicial capabilities.
His judicial career reached a new pinnacle with his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on February 6, 2024.
Who is Senior Advocate B. Vasudeva Acharya?
Senior Advocate B. Vasudeva Acharya is a highly respected and veteran legal practitioner associated with the Karnataka High Court. With a career spanning over six decades, he has established himself as a prominent figure in the Indian legal landscape, known for his expertise and significant contributions to the field of law.
Born in the Udupi district of Karnataka, Shri B.V. Acharya enrolled as an advocate in 1957. He initially practiced in Mangalore before shifting his practice to the Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru in 1972. His distinguished career led to his designation as a Senior Advocate in May 1989.
A notable aspect of Shri Acharya’s career is his extensive service to the state of Karnataka. He has held the prestigious position of Advocate General of Karnataka on five separate occasions between 1989 and 2012. This recurring appointment underscores the immense trust and confidence placed in his legal acumen and integrity by successive state governments.
Furthermore, he served as a member of the 19th Law Commission of India from 2010 to 2012, contributing to the crucial work of legal reform in the country.
Shri B.V. Acharya gained national prominence for his role as the Special Public Prosecutor in the high-profile disproportionate assets case against the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, and others. He demonstrated unwavering commitment and perseverance in pursuing the case to its logical conclusion, even in the face of considerable challenges and pressure. His successful handling of the prosecution in the Supreme Court further solidified his reputation as a formidable legal mind.
In recognition of his exceptional service to the legal field, Mangalore University conferred upon him an honorary doctorate in 2009. In 2017, the Bar Association of India honored him with the “Lawyers of India Day Award,” selecting him as one of the top ten lawyers in the country.
Even at an advanced age, Shri Acharya remains active in the legal profession. He has also authored two volumes of his autobiography, “All From Memory” and “Memoir of a Prosecutor,” offering valuable insights into his long and illustrious career.
