AFT Chennai Bar Association writes to CJI against transfer of Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary out of AFT Chandigarh

The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Chennai Bar Association is the latest lawyers' association to join in registering protest against the move to transfer judicial member, Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary from the Chandigarh bench of AFT to the Kolkata bench..In a letter addressed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on September 27, the AFT Chennai bar association expressed its strong disapproval, shock and disbelief over the decision of the AFT chairperson to transfer Justice Chaudhary..The bar association condemned the decision, terming it as an assault by the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) and an interference in the AFT's judicial operations. The move directly undermines the independence of judiciary, the association added."We are more aggrieved after learning that he has been transferred out of AFT Chandigarh on 25.09.2023 giving less than 12 hours to comply with the orders," the letter stated further..The letter also expressed concern that three judicial members of AFT Chandigarh and all execution petitions before the bench have been shifted suo motu shifted to the principal bench of the AFT..The association urged the CJI to look into the matter and to ensure that a wrong message is not conveyed to soldiers of the armed forces and their dependents.."Sir, needless to say, all the members of our Armed Forces Tribunal Chennai Bar Association STAND IN SOLIDARITY with our Brethren at Chandigarh for the cause of upholding the RESPECT, INTEGRITY & THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY (sic)" the letter added..Earlier this month, the chairperson of the AFT transferred judicial member Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary from the Chandigarh bench to the Kolkata bench of the tribunal "for administrative reasons in public interest."The AFT Bar Association at Chandigarh was prompt to condemn the transfer in a strongly worded letter sent to the Chief Justice of India on September 25. In this letter the Chandigarh bar association alleged that Justice Chaudhary's transfer was triggered by the strict orders he passed against senior government officials of the MoD.On the same day, the association also decided to indefinitely abstain from work as a mark of protest..Thereafter, the AFT bar associations at Jammu and Lucknow, also expressed solidarity with the AFT Chandigarh Bar Association in objecting to the transfer of Justice Chaudhary. More bar associations have since joined in supporting the AFT Chandigarh Bar Association in its protest passing resolutions against the transfer.These associations include the District Bar Associations in Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Kurukshetra, and the Veteran Air Warrior Association in Haryana..[Read Letter]