Justice Alok Verma of the Uttarakhand High Court recently recused himself from hearing a contempt petition filed by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi against members of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and its registry. This development follows a similar recusal by Justice Ravindra Maithani just days earlier, marking the fourth judge to withdraw from cases involving Chaturvedi. The pattern of recusals has raised concerns about judicial impartiality in matters related to Chaturvedi's whistleblower activities and legal battles.
The contempt petition stems from proceedings initiated by the CAT on its own motion on October 17, 2024, against Chaturvedi. Chaturvedi challenged these proceedings before the High Court, which stayed them until October 7, 2025. Despite this stay, the CAT proceeded with the contempt petition on September 12, 2025, appointing a senior advocate as amicus curiae. In response, Chaturvedi filed the current contempt plea.
The recurring recusals by judges and tribunal members, including those from the Supreme Court and CAT, have been noted in Chaturvedi's cases over the years. These withdrawals often cite potential conflicts of interest or personal connections, particularly concerning individuals named in Chaturvedi's whistleblower complaints. This trend underscores the challenges faced by whistleblowers in seeking justice and raises questions about the independence of the judiciary in sensitive matters.
As of now, the Uttarakhand High Court has not assigned a new bench to hear Chaturvedi's contempt petition. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected in the coming weeks.
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