To

The Honourable Chief Justice of India.

Supreme Court of India

New Delhi -110001

Re: Comment Made By Hon’ble Mr. Justice SS Shinde, Bombay HC.

Your Lordship, we are writing to you to bring to your kind notice an extremely urgent and serious matter which merits your attention.

The Hon’ble Mr. Justice SS Shinde, sitting Judge of the Bombay High Court, during the hearing of the matter of (Late) Stan Swamy, observed as follows:

“We cannot keep aside humane considerations while deciding medical Bail Applications. We have respect for his work. Legally, whatever was there against him is (a) different matter. He was wonderful with the kind of the services he rendered to the society.  It was very dignified and graceful. Such graciously and honourably they performed it”.

In our considered view, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Shinde, in making this comment, has crossed the line of Judicial propriety, since he was the Judge hearing the Bail Applications of Stan Swamy, and he has also been hearing the other matters involving the Bhima Koregaon incident. With utmost respect, we are of the opinion that a Judge who has to adjudicate on the merits of an extremely serious criminal charges, commenting openly about being appreciative of the work of one of the accused, casts shadow on his impartiality and fairness. Even though Hon’ble Mr. Justice SS Shinde has withdrawn his statement, that may not be sufficient and he must recuse himself from all matters relating to the Bhima Koregaon Incident in the interest of justice.

We therefore, beseech Your Lordship, to look into the matter.

Date: 01.08.2021.

Legal Rights Observatory.