By | Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai: Aarti Sathe, a seasoned advocate with over 20 years of experience, has been appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court, sparking controversy due to her past association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Here’s a four-paragraph overview of her background and the controversy surrounding her appointment:
Aarti Sathe served as the head of the Mumbai BJP legal cell and was appointed as the spokesperson of the Maharashtra BJP in February 2023. However, she resigned from both positions in January 2024, citing personal and professional reasons. Her expertise lies in direct tax matters, SEBI, Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT), and Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT).
The opposition, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, have questioned Sathe’s appointment, citing concerns about judicial impartiality. NCP MLA Rohit Pawar argued that appointing a former BJP spokesperson as a judge undermines the principle of separation of powers and could lead to biased judgments. He urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the decision and provide guidance on the matter.
The BJP has defended Sathe’s appointment, stating that she resigned from the party over a year ago and has no current association with the BJP. State BJP media cell in-charge Navnath Ban emphasized that the recommendation was made purely on merit, following the laid-down procedure. The party also pointed out that judges with political affiliations have been appointed in the past, citing the example of Justice Baharul Islam.
Sathe’s family background has also been under scrutiny, with her father, Arun Sathe, being a well-known lawyer closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP. Despite the controversy, Sathe’s appointment is seen as a recognition of her professional expertise and experience. The Bombay High Court currently has 66 judges, with a sanctioned strength of 94, highlighting the need for new appointments ¹.
