Allahabad HC judges seek full court meeting in response to SC's order on Justice Prashant Kumar.

A group of Allahabad High Court judges has written to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali seeking a full court meeting in response to the Supreme Court's order to remove Justice Prashant Kumar from the criminal roster. The order was issued due to strong observations against Justice Kumar's judicial reasoning. Seven judges have signed the letter, expressing pain over the apex court's decision.

Allahabad High Court judges have written to Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, requesting a full court meeting in response to the Supreme Court's recent order. The order, issued on August 6, 2025, directed the removal of Justice Prashant Kumar from the criminal roster due to strong criticisms of his judicial reasoning [1].

Seven judges, including Justice Kumar, signed the letter, expressing their collective pain over the apex court's decision. The letter highlighted the impact of the Supreme Court's order on the functioning of the high court and the potential implications for the judicial system.

The Supreme Court had pulled up Justice Kumar for permitting criminal proceedings in a civil dispute. The top court called his reasoning "shocking" and directed his removal from all criminal case duties [1]. The case involved a financial transaction between Shikhar Chemicals and a supplier, where the supplier claimed to have sold thread worth ₹52.34 lakh but received only ₹47.75 lakh. The supplier filed a criminal complaint to recover the remaining amount, which the high court had dismissed.

The Supreme Court's order has sparked a debate among legal professionals and academics. Some argue that lower court judges are deliberately defying the Supreme Court's rulings, while others contend that the Supreme Court should exercise more restraint in its interventions [2].

The request for a full court meeting suggests that the judges are seeking to address the concerns raised by the Supreme Court and explore ways to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the judges to discuss the implications of the order and the potential impact on the high court's operations.

The situation underscores the delicate balance between the independence of the judiciary and the need for judicial accountability. As the Supreme Court continues to assert its authority, the response from the lower courts will be closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/supreme-court-allahabad-high-court-justice-prashant-kumar-criminal-case-125080600375_1.html
[2] https://www.newsmax.com/politics/court-supreme-lower/2025/08/07/id/1221662/