Supreme Court Collegium recommends transfer of the Delhi High Court judge Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar to the Rajasthan High Court

On August 16, 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium reiterated the recommendation to transfer Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar from the Delhi High Court to the Rajasthan High Court. The Collegium constitutes Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. On August 10, 2023, the Collegium in its resolution proposed to transfer Justice Bhatnagar for better administration of justice. Yesterday, while recommending his transfer, the Collegium noted in its resolution that Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar requested his retention in Delhi but the same was turned down by the SC Collegium. The resolution reads, “On 10 August 2023, the Collegium proposed transfer of Mr. Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the Rajasthan High Court, for better administration of justice.” Also, it pointed out that “Mr. Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar by a representation dated 16 August 2023 has requested for his retention in Delhi. We have considered the request made by Mr. Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar in his representation. The Collegium does not find any merit in the request made by him. The Collegium, therefore, resolved to reiterate its recommendation dated 10 August 2023 to transfer Mr. Rajnish Bhatnagar to the Rajasthan High Court.”