The Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, has recommended the transfer of seven high court judges — including four from the Karnataka High Court — as part of efforts to enhance inclusivity and strengthen judicial administration across the country.
According to a resolution issued after meetings held on 15 and 19 April 2025, the collegium stated, “With a view to infuse inclusivity and diversity at the level of high courts and to strengthen the quality of administration of justice, the Supreme Court collegium in its meetings held on 15th April, 2025 and 19th April, 2025 has recommended transfer of the judges of high courts.”
The four judges from Karnataka High Court who have been proposed for transfer include Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, who is recommended to be sent to the Madras High Court; Justice Krishnan Natarajan to the Kerala High Court; Justice Neranahalli Srinivasan Sanjay Gowda to the Gujarat High Court; and Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad to the Orissa High Court.
From the Telangana High Court, the collegium has proposed the transfer of Justice Perugu Sree Sudha to the Karnataka High Court and Justice Kasoju Surendhar, also known as K Surender, to the Madras High Court.
Additionally, Justice Kumbhajadala Manmadha Rao of the Andhra Pradesh High Court has been recommended for transfer to the Karnataka High Court.
These transfers, as noted by the collegium, are part of a broader vision to ensure a more inclusive and diverse representation within the higher judiciary, and to improve the overall quality of justice delivery in the high courts.
We Are Already Criticised for Encroaching on Executive Domain, Says SC Amid Bengal Violence Plea
Amid ongoing tensions over recent violence in West Bengal, Supreme Court judge Justice B R Gavai on Monday remarked that the judiciary is already being accused of overstepping into the domains of the legislature and executive.
“As it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon the parliamentary and executive functions,” Justice Gavai observed while hearing a plea concerning the recent unrest in West Bengal during protests against the newly-amended Waqf law, news agency PTI reported. The bench, also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih, was hearing multiple matters, including a separate petition seeking a ban on sexually explicit and pornographic content on OTT platforms and social media.
Commenting on the issue of regulating online content, Justice Gavai noted, “Who can control it? It is for the Union to frame a regulation in that regard.” Addressing advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who appeared in the matter, the judge added, “As it is, we are now criticised that we are interfering with the executive’s function, the legislative functions.” The bench posted the matter for hearing next week after Jain underlined its seriousness.
Earlier in the day, advocate Jain also mentioned an application filed in a pending 2021 PIL that seeks the imposition of President’s Rule in West Bengal in the wake of post-poll violence. He urged the court to hear the fresh application—which highlights more recent incidents of violence—along with the main petition scheduled for Tuesday.
“In tomorrow’s list, item 42 pertains to imposition of President Rule in the state of West Bengal. That petition is filed by me. In that petition, I have filed an IA (interlocutory application) for directions and impleadment bringing out certain more incidents of violence which have happened in the state of West Bengal,” Jain submitted.
He further stressed the need for immediate deployment of paramilitary forces, citing Article 355 of the Constitution, which obligates the Union to protect states from external aggression and internal disturbances. Jain suggested the apex court could call for a report on the situation in the state. “When the matter will come up, I will demonstrate how the violence happened,” he said.
The fresh application seeks the formation of a three-member committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate incidents of violence, human rights violations, and crimes against women in West Bengal from 2022 to April 2025, with specific focus on the recent violence in Murshidabad.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had recently made critical remarks about the judiciary, reportedly triggering the backdrop for Justice Gavai’s observation. Dhankhar criticised the judiciary for setting deadlines for the President and acting like a “super Parliament,” saying, “The Supreme Court cannot fire a nuclear missile at democratic forces.” Following this, Dubey stated that if the apex court was going to make laws, there was no need for Parliament or legislative assemblies. He also accused Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna of fuelling religious conflicts in the country.
The original 2021 PIL had prompted the Supreme Court to issue notices to the Centre, the state of West Bengal, and the Election Commission, calling for responses on the deployment of central forces in the violence-hit state.
Fresh violence linked to the Waqf (Amendment) Act erupted in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district on April 14. Police claimed that the situation in Murshidabad, previously the epicentre of unrest, had stabilised. However, the district had witnessed communal violence on April 11 and 12, during which at least three people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless.
