New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) Congress Media In-charge Pawan Khera on Saturday highlighted the controversial transfer of Judge Vibhanshu Sudheer from his role as Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM). He urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to refrain from implementing a 'proven model' aimed at controlling the judiciary in Uttar Pradesh.

During a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Khera expressed that, "Lawyers in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, are expressing their outrage, and protests are erupting. Young people, women, students, laborers, religious leaders, and the middle class are all discontented with the BJP's actions."

He presented a video involving Babu Bajrangi, an accused from the Gujarat riots, asserting that it illustrates how the former Gujarat Chief Minister manipulated judicial appointments for favorable outcomes. "This is a proven strategy now being replicated in Uttar Pradesh," he stated.

Khera further emphasized that Sudheer's transfer signifies the BJP's desire to manipulate the judiciary, reaffirming that the Congress party supports the Sambhal lawyers in their fight for justice.

This controversy arises following a recent directive from the Allahabad High Court that ordered the transfer of 14 judicial officers, including Sudheer, who has now been reassigned as Civil Judge, Senior Division in Sultanpur.

Sudheer's transfer occurred shortly after he had instructed Sambhal police to file an FIR against the former Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary and the Station House Officer regarding a youth's shooting incident during the Sambhal violence in November 2024.

In response to Sudheer's ruling, Sambhal police indicated they would challenge the CJM court's order in the Allahabad High Court.

Khera claimed, "Following this order, the judge was transferred and demoted in his new role. Subsequently, a new judge was designated in Sambhal, but he was also quietly removed following protests from lawyers."

The Congress leader pointed out that this is not an isolated incident of judges being transferred to alter judicial decisions.

Referring to the Delhi riots, he noted that Justice Muralidhar, who had ruled against BJP leaders, was similarly transferred in the middle of the night, highlighting the BJP's arbitrary judicial transfers that undermine justice.

Khera remarked, "One 'example model' exists in Gujarat, where several individuals, including D.G. Vanzara, Maya Kodnani, and Babu Bajrangi, benefitted from judicial manipulation."

He further stated, "There is another model where 'Mota Bhai' (a term denoting a powerful figure) simply relocates the judge elsewhere. This kind of approach poses a serious threat to democracy and justice. Hence, we commend the legal community's efforts to safeguard democracy and justice."

Khera concluded by saying that the incidents in Sambhal, Delhi, Jaipur, and Gujarat illustrate that if people expect justice, they look to the ruler. "When the ruler becomes an impediment to justice, considering factors like religion, caste, and language, it raises concerns about the future of democracy in this country," he asserted.

"Consequently, the Congress party stands with the legal community as they advocate for justice. We hope that Yogi Adityanath will not adopt this 'Gujarat model' in Uttar Pradesh, as it will not serve the interests of the common citizen," Khera added.