Rahul Gandhi, Sister Priyanka 'Remember Justice Loya' After Govt Transfers Judge Hearing Delhi Riots Case

The midnight circular by the Centre notifying the transfer of judge hearing the Delhi riots case has sparked a massive political storm. Former Congress chief and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi raised concerns over the timing of the transfer of Justice S Murlidhar. Without taking any name, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Narendra Modi government and the reference was unmissable “Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn’t transferred,” Gandhi said on Twitter. Special CBI Judge BH Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case of Gujarat, had died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. His sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was more specific in her scathing attack. Posting news article along with this circular of Justice Murlidhar’s transfer, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the government was trying to ‘muzzle justice.’

Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn’t transferred.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 27, 2020

The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn’t shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful.

Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government’s attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable. pic.twitter.com/KKt4IeAMyv

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 27, 2020

“The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn’t shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government’s attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable (sic),” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on micro-blogging site. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also attacked the Modi govt and tweeted, “Modi Govt’s new ‘hit & run’ show! Objective - Stifle the judiciary. Aim - Save the perpetrators of hate!”

Justice Murlidhar, while hearing the case related to Delhi riots, had ordered FIR against BJP leaders including Kapil Mishra. It should be noted that the Supreme Court Collegium, in a March 12 meeting, had recommended Justice Murlidhar’s transfer. "In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Shri Justice S Muralidhar, Judge of the Delhi High Court, as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and to direct him to assume charge of his office in the Punjab and Haryana High Court," the government’s midnight notification said.

Justice Muralidhar began his law practice in Chennai in September 1984 and in 1987 shifted to the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. He was active as a lawyer for the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and was its member for two terms. His pro bono work included the cases for the victims of the Bhopal Gas Disaster and those displaced by the dams on the Narmada.      

(With agency inputs)