Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Supreme Court Transfers NCLAT Case Amid Allegations of Judicial Influence
A judge in Chennai, named Justice Sharma, said in court that another important judge asked him to rule in favor of a company in a money dispute.
Justice Sharma showed messages on his phone as proof and said he couldn't handle that case anymore.
The highest court in the country, the Supreme Court, heard about this.
They decided to move the case to a different court location so it could be judged fairly.
They also asked the head judge of all the courts, the Chief Justice of India, to look into the serious claim about the other judge trying to influence the case.
This is important to make sure everyone trusts that judges are fair and honest.
The Supreme Court has transferred an insolvency case from the NCLAT Chennai Bench to the NCLAT's Delhi branch.
This action follows an allegation by NCLAT judge Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma that a senior high court judge tried to influence his decision.
Justice Sharma reportedly revealed the alleged approach in open court and showed messages as evidence.
The Supreme Court directed Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai to examine these allegations administratively.
The court emphasized the importance of fair and impartial adjudication of the Company Appeal.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma (NCLAT Judicial Member), Advocate Prashant Bhushan, M/S A.S. Met Corp Private Limited, KLSR Infratech Ltd.
- What
- The Supreme Court transferred an insolvency case from NCLAT Chennai to its Delhi branch and directed the Chief Justice of India to examine allegations of a senior judge attempting to influence the NCLAT order.
- When
- Friday (August 18th, 2023, the day Justice Sharma made the disclosure; the Supreme Court's decision was also on a Friday).
- Where
- Supreme Court of India; National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) Chennai Bench (case origin); NCLAT Delhi Branch (transferred case).
- Why
- To ensure fair and impartial adjudication of the case and to address, at an administrative level, the serious allegations of judicial influence.
Call for FIR and Criminal Investigation
Administrative Examination by CJI
Nature of Action
Call for FIR and Criminal Investigation
Advocate Prashant Bhushan urged the Supreme Court to direct the filing of an FIR and have a retired Supreme Court judge monitor the criminal investigation into the alleged judicial influence.
Administrative Examination by CJI
The Supreme Court opted to transfer the case to the NCLAT's Delhi branch and directed Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai to examine the allegations at the administrative level.
Immediacy of Adjudication
Call for FIR and Criminal Investigation
The focus is on a criminal investigation into the alleged misconduct.
Administrative Examination by CJI
The Supreme Court emphasized the foremost issue as the fair and impartial adjudication of the Company Appeal and requested the NCLAT chairperson to list the appeal for an early decision.
- Allegation
- A senior high court judge allegedly approached an NCLAT judicial member for a favorable order in an insolvency case.
- NCLAT Member
- Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma (Chennai Bench)
- Alleged Approached Judge
- A 'revered member of the higher judiciary' (unnamed)
- Case Details
- Insolvency petition filed by M/S A.S. Met Corp Private Limited against KLSR Infratech Ltd over payment default.
- Supreme Court Decision
- Transferred the case from NCLAT Chennai to NCLAT Delhi; directed CJI B.R. Gavai to examine allegations administratively.
- Advocate's Request
- Prashant Bhushan urged an FIR and monitoring of investigation by a retired Supreme Court judge.
