Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Sambhal CJM Transfers Spark Judicial Debate
A judge in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, was moved to a new job in Sultanpur right after he told the police to file a case against some of their own officers.
Lawyers in Sambhal were upset and protested because they thought the judge was moved as punishment.
The authorities said it was just a regular change.
Then, another judge who was brought in to replace the first one was also moved back to his old job.
This all happened very quickly and has made people worry about whether judges can do their jobs without being moved around as punishment.
Sambhal CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir was transferred to Sultanpur soon after ordering an FIR against police personnel.
Lawyers in Sambhal protested, calling the transfer 'unfortunate' and 'demoralising'.
Protesters demanded the transfer order be reversed, citing concerns over judicial independence.
Authorities maintain the transfer was part of a routine reshuffle and not linked to the FIR.
Aditya Singh, who replaced Sudhir, was reinstated to his original posting as Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal.
- Who
- Sambhal Chief Judicial Magistrate Vibhanshu Sudhir, Aditya Singh, and lawyers in Sambhal
- What
- Transfer of CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir to Sultanpur and subsequent reinstatement of Aditya Singh
- When
- January 22, 2024 (initial transfer), January 25, 2024 (reinstatement)
- Where
- Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- Concerns over judicial independence and the timing of the transfers following an FIR against police personnel and a mosque survey
- Transferred Judge
- Vibhanshu Sudhir
- New CJM
- Aditya Singh
- Transfer Location
- Sultanpur
- Reason for Transfer
- Routine reshuffle
- Protest Location
- Sambhal district court
- Case Involved
- FIR against police personnel
- Date of Transfer
- January 22, 2024
- Reinstated Judge
- Aditya Singh
- Original Posting
- Civil Judge (Senior Division), Sambhal
Sources
Uttar Pradesh News: Sambhal CJM Vibhanshu Sudhir’s Transfer To Sultanpur Triggers Row Over Judicial Independence
In the transfer of Sambhal judge, a lesson for the judiciary
Sambhal CJM changed again, Civil Judge who had ordered mosque survey sent back
