'Those Who Twisted My Speech Were At Fault, Not Me': Allahabad HC's Justice Shekhar Yadav Retires Amid Pending Impeachment Motion

Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, whose controversial remarks at a public event in December 2024 prompted an impeachment motion against him, RETIRED TODAY.

Addressing the Full Court reference held in his honour, Justice Yadav clarified that the words of his speech at the event organised by the legal cell of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Prayagraj were twisted and that the fault lay with those who distorted them.

"Mera koi dosh nahi tha. Tod marod ke pesh karne walon ka tha", Justice Yadav said in his retirement speech. [Translation: I had no fault. It was the fault of those who twisted and presented it]

He also thanked the members of the bar for supporting him during that period, stating: "Another phase came, in which I had no fault, and during that, I got your support. Had I not received it, I would have broken".

It may be noted that in his December 2024 speech, Justice Yadav had made certain controversial statements, including that the country would function according to the wishes of the majority (bahusankhyak) in India and that children from a particular religion couldn't be expected to be tolerant, given the fact that animals are slaughtered in front of them. As the speech became controversial, the then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had summoned Justice Yadav and sought his explanation.

Read more about his speech here, here, and here.

In his farewell speech today, Justice Yadav strongly defended his impartiality on the bench. Looking at the advocates gathered in the event, he stated, "You are lawyers of every caste here; no person can say that I discriminated while delivering justice. I never differentiated between small or big lawyers, or lawyers of any caste."

A significant part of Justice Yadav's farewell speech was dedicated to advising the Bar members, particularly junior advocates, on courtroom conduct, drafting and professionalism.

Stressing that mutual respect is the cornerstone of the legal profession, he said "A judge is not a police inspector (daroga)...Everyone should learn to be humble, regardless of whether they are a senior, a judge or a junior".

He further emphasized that a lawyer's demeanour has a very significant role to play while arguing a case. "The judge has the power to grant or reject your bail. Humility and respect should be there in how you appear," he advised.

"So even if the case is weak, the judge elevates it. If everything is good, but arguments are not good, appearance is not good, then the case goes down," he added.

He expressed concern that juniors do not stand when seniors enter the courtroom. He also said that while people naturally respect lawyers, "some people are maligning the profession”.

Justice Yadav welcomed the increase in the number of female advocates. However, he urged junior women lawyers to take on more active roles in litigation rather than serving as proxies for senior lawyers.

"The number of women lawyers is increasing, and it should increase further", he said. "Sometimes they only come to take a passover, so I tell them to argue; I won't dismiss [the case] until the senior arrives", he added.

In his speech, Justice Yadav also recalled his humble beginnings. He shared that he used to proudly ride his bicycle to his maternal home, thinking he was now an advocate in the HC and that he never thought he would one day become a Judge.

He stated that determination and respect for elders are the only true prerequisites for success, and that if a lawyer possesses honesty and respect, "no one can stop you from reaching the heights."

Concluding his address, Justice Yadav expressed his lifelong indebtedness to the Allahabad High Court advocates and judges.

"I have never found the kind of love anywhere else that I received from all of you…I have only given love and received love...You only get what you give," he said as he concludeding his speech by thanking the judges of the HC, the bar members and his staff members.