Justice Duppala Venkata Ramana of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, set to retire on June 2, 2025, delivered a poignant farewell speech on Tuesday, alleging that his 2023 transfer from the Andhra Pradesh High Court was executed with “ill intention to harass” him. He expressed that the transfer caused his family to suffer in silence and was a source of deep personal distress.

Justice Ramana revealed that he had requested a transfer to the Karnataka High Court to facilitate better medical treatment for his wife, who suffers from paroxysmal non-epileptic seizures and a brain infirmity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite submitting representations to the Supreme Court Collegium in July and August 2024, his requests were neither considered nor rejected. He lamented the lack of humanitarian consideration, stating, “I was disheartened and deeply pained.”

In his address, Justice Ramana remarked, “God does not forget nor forgive so easily,” suggesting that those responsible for his transfer would also face consequences. He acknowledged the support he received from colleagues in Madhya Pradesh, noting that while the transfer was intended to unsettle him, it did not succeed. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in both Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing his commitment to justice.

This candid speech has brought attention to the challenges and personal toll associated with judicial transfers in India, highlighting the need for transparency and compassion in such decisions.

Sources