Justice DV Ramana, who was transferred from the Andhra Pradesh High Court to the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2023, alleged on Tuesday that the transfer was intended to harass him.
Speaking at his farewell event, Justice Ramana expressed deep disappointment over the Supreme Court Collegium’s handling of his transfer request and his appeals for reconsideration.
Justice Ramana revealed that he had requested a transfer to the Karnataka High Court to provide better medical care for his wife, who suffers from a severe neurological disorder. “I opted for the State of Karnataka so that my wife could receive treatment at NIMHANS. However, my request was neither considered nor rejected by the Supreme Court Collegium,†he said.
He took charge as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on November 1, 2023, and subsequently submitted representations on July 19 and August 28, 2024, citing his wife’s medical condition, but received no response. Appeals during the tenure of the then Chief Justices were similarly ignored.
Justice Ramana, who is set to retire on June 2, expressed hope that the current Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, might consider his case, though he feels it may now be too late. “My transfer order seems to have been issued with ill intent and to harass me. I was transferred away from my home state for obvious reasons,†he said, adding, “I am happy to satisfy their ego. God does not forgive, nor forget. They will also face consequences.â€
Despite the controversy, Justice Ramana acknowledged the support he received from judges and members of the Bar in both Jabalpur and Indore. “My transfer was expected to unsettle me, but it did not. I have made lasting contributions in both Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. I have had the opportunity to serve in the lands of Amravati, Krishna, Godavari, and Narmada. I have truly served justice and feel blessed for these opportunities,†he said.
Justice Ramana was appointed as a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2022 after serving as a judicial officer since 2007. His transfer to Madhya Pradesh was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium. Though he requested reconsideration and sought transfer to Karnataka, the Collegium upheld its decision to transfer him to the Madhya Pradesh High Court as a permanent judge.
