Bar of Indian Lawyers Urges CJI to Reconsider Transfer of Justice Arun Monga

The representation, addressed to the Chief Justice and the Collegium, emphasizes Justice Monga’s judicial record, professional integrity, and the unusual nature of the proposed transfer.

In the letter, the Bar highlighted its long-standing role in safeguarding the independence of the legal profession and cited the recent Supreme Court ruling in Bar of Indian Lawyers v. D.K. Gandhi, where the Court recognized the unique nature of the legal profession. The body said that its intervention in this matter was in continuation of its duty to protect the dignity of the judiciary and the justice delivery system.

Tracing Justice Monga’s career, the representation recalled his three-decade journey marked by “judicial integrity, independence, and fairness.” It noted that he practiced law for over two decades in Delhi before his elevation, following which he served in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and later at the Rajasthan High Court. Most recently, he took oath as a judge of the Delhi High Court on July 21, 2025.

The Bar praised Justice Monga’s “high disposal rate” and “balanced approach to complex issues,” describing his judgments as a reflection of both legal acumen and efficiency. “His reputation extends beyond a single jurisdiction, and he commands the respect of the Bar in multiple states where he has served,” the letter stated.

Expressing concern over the timing of the transfer, the representation said that re-transferring Justice Monga “barely weeks” after his oath in Delhi was “not only unusual but also counterproductive to the larger interests of judicial efficiency and institutional stability.” It further warned that such a premature transfer could “inadvertently erode public confidence in the consistency and fairness of judicial administration.”

The Bar concluded by urging the Chief Justice and the Collegium to revisit the recommendation in light of Justice Monga’s service record and the need to maintain public faith in the judiciary.

In a related news, the women lawyers of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) had written to Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai protesting the sudden transfer of Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju from the Delhi High Court. Signed by 66 women lawyers, including several senior advocates, the letter calls for transparency in judicial transfers and urges reconsideration of the move. “The wider issue of lack of transparency on the matter of transfers that lead to frenzied rumour mills that do a disservice on the issue of institutional integrity,” it adds.

“We, the women lawyers of the Delhi High Court Bar Association are by this letter registering our protest about the sudden transfer of Hon’ble Ms. Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, Judge, Delhi High Court, who has been a member of the Delhi High Court and our colleague for 30 years, and we know her to be a person of the highest professional integrity, with an unblemished record,” the women lawyers," letter states.

Last month, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa had written to the CJI requesting reconsideration of the proposed transfer of two recently appointed judges of the Delhi High Court, Justice Arun Monga and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju. The letter, dated August 27, 2025, highlighted concerns about the impact of their transfer on judicial continuity, litigant confidence, and institutional morale.

Letter By: Bar of Indian Lawyers

Letter Dated: September 4, 2025