Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph, who recently delivered the strongly-worded judgment quashing _President’s Rule_ in the state, [will be transferred] to the high court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. News of his transfer evoked a strong reaction in legal and other circles, with senior advocate Indira Jaising putting out a series of tweets questioning the collegium’s move.

reported the Indian Express, also confirming from sources the recommended elevation by the collegium of senior counsel L Nageswara Rao, as well as chief justices DY Chandrachud (Allahabad high court), AM Khanwilkar (Madhya Pradesh high court), and Ashok Bhushan (Kerala high court).

Senior advocate Indira Jaising tweeted in response: >Death of independence of judiciary. Justice Mathew (sic) who authored the Uttaranchal judgement transferred to AP, what is the explanation for this? Was our faith in the judiciary misplaced? Why are judges who write judgements against the government at the Centre being transferred? First Justice Shakdar (Shakdher) who authored the Priya Pillai judgement was transferred, then Justice Mathew who wrote the Uttaranchal judgement.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal replied to Jaising, adding: “This raises serious questions abt independence of judiciary.”

However, former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju, who's just come back from social media exile, wrote on Facebook and his blog:

Timing of Justice Joseph transfer gives wings to conspiracy theories, Katju's explanation even more cryptic

Transfer of Judges Health problem was the reason for Chief Justice Joseph's transfer. Justice Shakdher's transfer was for a different reason, which I have been informed by reliable sources, but cannot disclose. But it was not political, and it was on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, and not at the instance of the Central Govt.

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