Former BJP Spokesperson Appointed Bombay HC Judge; Oppn Slams Move: 'Blow To Democracy'
The appointment of Advocate Arati Sathe as a judge of the Bombay High Court stirred political controversy in Maharashtra, following revelations that she had previously served as the official spokesperson for the Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on July 28, approved the elevation of Ajit Bhagwantrao Kadehankar, Arati Arun Sathe, and Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar as judges of the Bombay High Court.
Sathe's appointment drew criticism from Opposition leaders, who have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest and the need to preserve the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader and MLA Rohit Pawar voiced strong objections, sharing a screenshot of a letter issued on Maharashtra BJP letterhead naming Sathe as the party's spokesperson — a post she herself had acknowledged on social media.
Pawar described the appointment as a serious threat to democratic principles.
'The appointment of a person who advocates for the ruling party from a public platform as a judge is the greatest blow to democracy," he said. 'Such appointments will have far-reaching consequences on the impartiality of the Indian judicial system."
He further cited concerns about the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.
'Doesn't the appointment of a political spokesperson as a judge undermine the principle of separation of powers and, by extension, constitute an attempt to subvert the Constitution?" he asked.
Highlighting the broader implications, Pawar stated: 'When a person appointed as a judge in a High Court has a political background and has held a position in the ruling party, who can guarantee that the process of delivering justice will not be tainted by political bias? Doesn't the appointment of a single political figure raise questions about the entire process of justice delivery?"
While clarifying that he had no objection to Sathe's legal qualifications, Pawar said the issue lies in public perception and trust in judicial impartiality.
'The appointment of such a person strikes at the sentiment of ordinary citizens that 'justice is delivered without any bias,'" he added, urging the government to reconsider the decision. 'The Honorable Chief Justice should also provide guidance on this matter."
BJP Counters
Responding to the controversy, Maharashtra BJP media cell in-charge Navnath Bang confirmed that Sathe had been a spokesperson for the party. However, he emphasised that she had resigned from the role prior to her judicial appointment.
Further, Maharashtra BJP's chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye asked the Congress and Rohit Pawar to answer a few questions.
'Justice Baharul Islam was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 1962 as a Congress candidate. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1968. During this time, he also contested the Assam Legislative Assembly elections but was defeated."
'In 1972, he resigned from the Rajya Sabha and was appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court. In March 1980, he retired from the judiciary and re-entered politics," Upadhye said in a clear swipe at the Congress.
'After his retirement, Indira Gandhi's government appointed him as a judge of the Supreme Court in December 1980. In 1983, after he acquitted the then Chief Minister of Bihar, Jagannath Mishra, in a corruption case and faced criticism for it; he resigned from the post of judge. Subsequently, in the same year (1983), the Congress party appointed him again to the Rajya Sabha," he added.
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First Published:
August 06, 2025, 08:56 IST
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