HC Judge Sreedharan who heard minister Shah’s case transferred:Sent to Allahabad High Court; had commented on Damoh foot washing case too

Justice Atul Sreedharan of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is transferred to Allahabad High Court. He had taken suo motu cognizance of Minister Vijay Shah’s controversial statement against Colonel Sophia Qureshi and the Damoh incident where a Kushwaha youth was forced to wash a Brahmin youth’s feet. On October 14, he had taken suo motu notice of the Damoh incident and made several strong remarks. First transferred to Chhattisgarh, now to Allahabad Appointed as HC Judge in 2016 Strict stance in Damoh case brought recognition The division bench of Justice Atul Sridharan and Justice Pradeep Mittal took suo motu cognizance of the incident in Damoh district where a person made an OBC youth wash his feet inside a temple and drink dirty water. The court had directed the Damoh police to take action against the culprits under NSA (National Security Act). During the hearing, Justice Sreedharan made a sharp remark, saying ‘Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra’ all are claiming their independent identity. If this is not controlled, then within a century and a half, people calling themselves Hindus will fight among themselves and become non-existent. On the orders of the HC, Damoh police had registered a case under NSA against five accused and arrested them in connection with this incident that took place in Sataraiya village of Patera police station area. Recent major suo motu cognizance by Justice Sreedharan Strict, impartial, and outspoken judge Justice Atul Sreedharan is counted among those judges who have repeatedly emphasized social justice and administrative accountability. His orders have been discussed not only from a legal perspective but also at the level of social consciousness. Justice Sreedharan’s double bench stated in order in Damoh case Instruction to impose National Security Act (NSA)
The court noted that while such action is usually the administration’s right, the incident heightened community tension. Damoh police and administration were instructed to take action under the NSA against those visible in the video to prevent further deterioration.
Case should be registered against those present at the time of incident In paragraph 8 of the order given by the court on October 14, it is written- “Therefore, this court feels that this evil of caste hatred and discrimination should not increase further, before that, Damoh police and administration are instructed that all persons visible in the video, whose identification is possible, who were present in the temple and who forced the victim youth to commit this act, action should be taken against all of them under FIR as well as the National Security Act (NSA).”