Delhi HC Bar association boycotts 3 judges’ oath taking ceremony

The oath taking ceremony of three new judges of the Delhi High Court on Monday was mired in controversy, with the Executive Committee of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) boycotting it.

The oath taking ceremony of three new judges of the Delhi High Court on Monday was mired in controversy, with the Executive Committee of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) boycotting it.

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The bar was protesting the elevation of RV Easwar, president of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), and the collegium decision recommending his name.

“The DHCBA is of the view that a tribunal member cannot become a High Court judge. Members of the ITAT are not an integral part of the judicial service as defined under the Constitution and they have been appointed as per the Income Tax Act,” DHCBA secretary DK Sharma said.

Sharma, in January, had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, challenging the recommendation of the collegium to elevate Easwar, who was then president of the Mumbai tax tribunal. But it was dismissed in April.

Following this, he filed an appeal in the Supreme Court which is still pending.