Allahabad HC Justice Facing Impeachment Motion Over Anti-Muslim Remarks To Retire Tomorrow

The motion is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha following controversy over comments he reportedly made at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event in 2024.

File image of Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav. (Photo via allahabadhighcourt.in)

Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who is facing a pending impeachment motion over alleged anti-Muslim remarks, is set to retire on Wednesday (April 15).

The motion is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha following controversy over a speech he reportedly delivered at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event in 2024, which triggered widespread political and legal criticism across the country.

The controversy led to strong reactions from members of the Bar, civil society groups and political leaders, many of whom called for action against him, alleging misconduct unbecoming of a constitutional court judge.

Justice Yadav was appointed an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in December 2019 and was made a permanent judge in March 2021.

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Remarks Made At VHP Event

The row stems from a speech delivered at an event organised by the VHP’s legal cell, where Justice Yadav made remarks on religion, governance and minority communities, including comments related to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The speech was widely criticised, particularly over his alleged use of a derogatory term against Muslims.

During the address, he spoke on the need for a uniform civil law framework and referred to practices such as multiple marriages, “halala” and “triple talaq”, without naming any community, saying such practices were “unacceptable”.

He also said India should function under a unified legal system, referring to the Constitution and penal laws, and was quoted as saying that the country would function according to the wishes of the majority population, using the term “bahusankhyak” (majority).

“I have no hesitation in stating that this is Hindustan, and this country will function according to the wishes of the majority living here. This is the law. It is not about speaking as a high court judge; rather, the law operates in accordance with the bahusankhyak,” he was quoted from his lecture at the event.

(With inputs from agencies)

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