In a farewell speech on Tuesday, the retiring Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Pritinker Diwaker, said that the 2018 order transferring him from Chhattisgarh High Court was issued “with an ill intention to harass” him.
Justice Diwaker’s comments follow a similar sentiment expressed by Justice Bibek Chaudhuri of Calcutta High Court, who, in his own farewell speech, drew a parallel between recent Collegium-led transfers and the mass transfers during the Emergency in 1975.
Reflecting on his tenure, Justice Diwaker noted that he served as a judge in Chhattisgarh High Court from March 31, 2009, until October 2018, earning satisfaction from both colleagues and his own conscience. However, he described the turn of events when then Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra ordered his transfer to Allahabad High Court as unexpected and seemingly motivated by ill intentions.
Despite initial concerns, Justice Diwaker said, he found unexpected support and cooperation from his fellow judges and members of the Bar in Allahabad. He expressed gratitude to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud for rectifying what he perceived as an injustice.
Discussing the challenges faced in Allahabad High Court, Justice Diwaker acknowledged the weighty workload and criticism the court endured. He urged critics to consider the difficulties and shortcomings within the institution before forming conclusions.
It is pertinent to note that, started of his career as a member of the Bar Councill of Madhya Pradesh in 1984, Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker was later appointed as a judge of Chhattisgarh High Court on 31st March 2009. After serving Chhattisgarh High Court for 8 and a half years, he was then transferred to the Allahabad High Court on 3rd October 2018. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on 13th February 2023.
