Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court retired on Wednesday, using his farewell address to defend his record against the backdrop of an unprecedented impeachment notice moved by Rajya Sabha members in late 2024. Addressing a packed courtroom, Justice Yadav asserted that he had been “targeted without fault” following allegations of controversial remarks made at a public event.
The retirement ceremony, known as a full court reference, was held in the Chief Justice’s courtroom and attended by prominent legal figures, including Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, the Additional Solicitor General of India, and senior members of the Bar Association.
The atmosphere was marked by the weight of the December 2024 controversy. Justice Yadav spoke candidly about the impeachment motion, noting that he had faced an inquiry and was required to provide explanations for his conduct. Despite the political and legal pressure, he maintained his impartiality, stating, “I have never discriminated against anyone on the basis of caste or religion.”
Justice Yadav expressed gratitude for the “full support” he received from the Bar Association during the crisis. Referring to the scrutiny he faced, he told the gathered advocates and judges, “I prayed to God that you people may not face such situations.”
The friction began on December 8, 2024, when Justice Yadav attended an event organized by the legal cell of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). Viral videos from the event purportedly showed the judge making remarks suggesting that the “law works according to the majority” and touching upon sensitive issues regarding religion and minority communities.
The comments sparked immediate backlash. Opposition leaders categorized the statements as “hate speech,” leading to a formal notice for impeachment in the Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2024. The notice was signed by 55 MPs, including high-profile names such as Kapil Sibal, Digvijaya Singh, and Manoj Kumar Jha.
The Supreme Court also intervened in the matter. A collegium headed by then-Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna sought a formal version of events from Justice Yadav after taking note of widespread news reports. The top court further requested a detailed report from the Allahabad High Court regarding the statements attributed to the judge.
Despite the controversy, the farewell reference saw speakers emphasize Justice Yadav’s professional conduct within the court. Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and other representatives of the Bar praised him for being consistently “courteous” and “supportive” toward lawyers throughout his tenure.
Justice Yadav’s journey on the bench began on December 12, 2019, when he was appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court. He was later confirmed as a permanent judge on March 26, 2021.
As he exits the judiciary, the questions raised by the impeachment notice remain a significant footnote to his career, highlighting the ongoing debate regarding the intersection of judicial conduct and public expression.
