Bar vs Bench: GHCAA Demands Transfer of CJ Sunita Agarwal Over Filing Chaos
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Ahmedabad, Oct 9 — In a rare and strongly worded communication, the President of Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) Mr. Brijesh Trivedi has written to Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai seeking the immediate transfer of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal from the Gujarat High Court. The letter cites mounting procedural difficulties faced by lawyers and litigants, allegedly stemming from recent administrative directives issued under her tenure.
The controversy traces back to a September 15 instruction issued by the Registrar (Judicial) of the High Court, which imposed strict prohibitions on overwriting and interpolation in case files. According to the GHCAA, President this directive has led to significant delays in the clearance of filings, with advocates reportedly struggling to obtain filing numbers and facing loss of original documents.
In its letter, the GHCAA stated that repeated attempts to seek an audience with Chief Justice Agarwal were unsuccessful. Instead, the Bar was asked to submit a written explanation of its grievances. Despite submitting a detailed representation, the Association claims that the procedural bottlenecks have persisted, causing widespread disruption in court operations.
The GHCAA further asserted that assurances of redressal have not translated into tangible relief. “Lawyers are left pleading for basic filing acknowledgments,” the letter reads, adding that such administrative hurdles are unprecedented in the 65-year history of the Gujarat High Court.
In a final appeal, the GHCAA President has requested a personal audience with CJI Gavai, along with members of the Association’s Managing Committee, to resolve the matter and restore procedural normalcy in the High Court.
The letter has sparked debate within legal circles, raising questions about the balance between administrative discipline and access to justice.
