Atul Sreedharan
Hon'ble Justice Atul Sreedharan | |
|---|---|
| Judge of Allahabad High Court | |
| Assumed office 11 November 2025 | |
| Nominated by | B. R. Gavai |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court | |
| In office 21 March 2025 – 10 November 2025 | |
| Nominated by | Sanjiv Khanna |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| In office 7 April 2016 – 9 May 2023 | |
| Nominated by | T. S. Thakur |
| Appointed by | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Judge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court | |
| In office 10 May 2023 – 20 March 2025 | |
| Nominated by | D. Y. Chandrachud |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1966 |
Atul Sreedharan (born 24 May 1966) is an Indian judge currently serving in Allahabad High Court[1] since November 2025. He also served in the Madhya Pradesh High Court and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
Early life and career
Sreedharan was born on 24 May 1966.[2] He was a member of the chamber of Senior Advocate Gopal Subramaniam in Delhi from 1992 to 1997. From 1997 to December 2000, he practised independently in Delhi.[clarification needed] In 2001, he practised in the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.[clarification needed] He also served on the panel of Madhya Pradesh Housing Board between 2002 and 2012.
He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on 7 April 2016 and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on 17 March 2018. Sreedharan was transferred as a judge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court[3] in April 2023 on his request, due to his daughter practising law at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.[4] He was repatriated to Madhya Pradesh High Court in March 2025.[5] He was transferred as Judge of Allahabad High Court and took oath of office on 11 November 2025.[6]
Transfer and controversy
Supreme Court Collegium in August 2025 recommended his transfer to Chhattisgarh High Court where he would have been at seniority number 3 and would form part of high court collegium[7] but this recommendation was modified on the request of central government and he was subsequently transferred to Allahabad High Court where he would be at seniority rank 7 far below from being eligible to be part of collegium.[8][9]
This acceptance of executive interference in judicial transfer was widely perceived as threat to judicial independence by several former jurists and senior lawyers.[10][11] His frequent transfers (third in one year) is considered as form of punishment for his independence by activists[12] as he was repatriated to Madhya Pradesh High Court from Jammu & Kashmir High Court just days before when he was to be appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir High Court on the retirement of the then chief justice Tashi Rabstan in April 2025.[13]
His transfer has raised concerns about the judicial independence[14] and the fate of judges who dare to be independent in tense political atmosphere where politics could affect the career prospects of judges as happened in the case of Justice Sreedharan.[15]
References
- ^ "Justice Atul Sreedharan Takes Oath As Judge Of Allahabad High Court". livelaw.in. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "HON'BLE JUSTICE SHRI ATUL SHREEDHARAN | Official Website of e-Committee, Supreme Court of India | India". Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Central government notifies transfer of Justice Atul Sreedharan from Madhya Pradesh High Court to J&K and Ladakh High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "MP High Court judge and former Gopal Subramanium junior, Justice Atul Sreedharan seeks transfer since daughter set to enter law practice". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (14 March 2025). "Justice Atul Sreedharan transferred from J&K to M.P. High Court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ "Justice Atul Sreedharan takes oath at Allahabad High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Collegium recommends transfer of Justice Atul Sreedharan from MP to Chhattisgarh High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "After Centre's Request, Supreme Court Collegium Modifies Proposal To Transfer Justice Atul Sreedharan". livelaw.in. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "At government's request, Justice Sreedharan recommended for transfer to Allahabad HC instead of Chhattisgarh HC". The Leaflet. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Lawyers' forum questions Justice Atul Sreedharan's transfer to Allahabad High Court amid row". The Telegraph (India).
- ^ "A tale of a transfer". Supreme Court Observer. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "Impression of Punishment: Activists Urge SC Collegium to Recall Justice Atul Sreedharans Transfer". The Wire. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ "In Line To Be Next Chief Justice, J&K High Court Judge Who Upheld Liberty, Held Govt Accountable, Is Transferred". article-14.com. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (22 October 2025). "Supreme Court Collegium's shift in Justice Sreedharan's appointment raises concerns over Executive influence in judicial independence". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ^ Tiwari, Salil (24 October 2025). "'Punishment Transfer' Signal, Says CJAR on Justice Sreedharan's Move to Allahabad HC". lawbeat.in. Retrieved 2 December 2025.