Mumbai: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshavardhan Sapkal has raised serious concerns over the impartiality of the judiciary, alleging that the appointment of active BJP functionaries as judges poses a grave threat to the democratic structure of the country.
Speaking to the media, Sapkal expressed alarm over the appointment of Advocate Aarti Arun Sathe as a judge of the Bombay High Court. He pointed out that Sathe was listed as a spokesperson for the BJP Maharashtra unit as recently as February 2, 2023, in an official list released by then BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
“How can a person who has served as an active office-bearer of the ruling party be expected to deliver impartial judgments? Such appointments are not only dangerous for democracy but also deeply disturbing,” Sapkal stated.
He further alleged that since 2014, democratic and constitutional institutions in India have been systematically undermined. “Almost all autonomous institutions now function as extensions of the government, including the Election Commission,” he said, adding that the situation within the judiciary is the most alarming of all.
Sapkal pointed to several major court verdicts over the last 11 years that, according to him, have raised doubts in the minds of common citizens. Referring to the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha and the judiciary's comments on questions raised by the opposition regarding China, he said, “It is not only worrisome but also highly objectionable. If the opposition cannot question the government, then who will?”
He further added, “Deciding who is a patriot is neither the judiciary’s duty nor the judge’s responsibility. What is even more dangerous is the trend of offering high-ranking post-retirement benefits—such as appointments as governors, Rajya Sabha members, ambassadors, or heads of important institutions—to senior judges. This is damaging the very foundation of democracy.”
“We have immense respect for the judiciary, but what is currently unfolding is setting a dangerous precedent,” the MPCC chief concluded.
