On Friday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to meet a delegation of the Gujarat Advocates High Court Advocates' Association (GHCAA) opposing the proposed transfer of Gujarat High Court Justice Nikhil S. Kariel to the Patna High Court in his chamber on Monday (November 21, 2022) at 1:30 pm.

GHCAA President Prithviraj Jadeja confirmed to Bar & Bench that the lawyers' delegation would include four senior advocates, the in-charge President of GHCAA, its general secretary, and a lady advocate representing women advocates.

The following would be the seven lawyers in the delegation:

·         Senior Advocate Mihir Thakore;

·         Senior Advocate Nirupam Nanavati;

·         Senior Advocate Mihir Joshi;

·         Senior Advocate Percy Kavina;

·         GHCAA President Prithviraj Jadeja;

·         GHCAA Secretary Hardik Brahmbatt;

·         Advocate Kruti Shah.

The GHCAA has been protesting the proposed transfer of Justice Kariel. The Association decided yesterday not to appear before the Benches. In a resolution, the Association referred to Justice Nikhil S. Kariel as the "finest, upright, honest, and unbiased" judge and resolved to express its displeasure in this regard.

“It is reiterated that the transfer of such honest and upright Judge for which the entire Bar is vouching in one voice is not in right taste and is being strongly opposed as it strikes at the Rule of Law and Independence of Judiciary which are two prime edifice on which our Constitution rests. It is also resolved that the delegation may convey the feeling of the Bar to all concerned including CJI and other Judges of the collegium," the resolution passed by GHCAA said.

When CJ Aravind Kumar asked the lawyers why they were there in such large numbers, Senior Advocate Mihir Thakore stated that they were opposed to the proposed transfer of Justice Kariel to the Patna High Court and wished to observe two minutes of silence.

"We are here to mourn the death of independent judiciary," Senior Advocate Thakore said.