Angry Madras HC Chief Justice resigns after transfer to Meghalaya

Chennai, Ta. September 7, 2019, Saturday

Madras High Court Chief Justice Vijaya K. Tahirlamani has resigned from his position. The Supreme Court Collegium replaced Tahirlamani with the Madras High Court in the Meghalaya High Court.

He has resigned to show his displeasure over the decision. Madras High Court Chief Justice Tahirlamani has handed over his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind and has sent a copy of it to Indian Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

The Supreme Court Collegium rejected an appeal for reconsideration of the transfer to the Meghalaya High Court, so he has resigned to express his displeasure. The collegium, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, recommended transfer of Tahirlamani to the Meghalaya High Court. Tahirlamani was appointed chief justice of the Madras High Court on August 8 last year.

Justice Tahillermani was scheduled to retire on October 2, 2020. The Collegium recommended for his transfer on August 28. Tahirlamani subsequently appealed to the collegium to reconsider the proposal for a replacement. He also opposed the decision of the collegium.

The Collegium also recommended that the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, AK Mittal, be transferred to the Madras High Court. Tahirlamani was appointed as a judge of the Mumbai High Court on June 26, 2001. While serving as the acting Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court, Tahirlamani upheld the conviction and life sentence of all 11 people in the Bilkis Bano mass rape case in May 2017.