Supreme Court Justice faces scrutiny over son’s role as EC lawyer

Opposition leaders and legal observers have raised concerns that Supreme Court Justice Satish Chandra Sharma may have a conflict of interest in cases concerning the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, because his son serves as the standing counsel for the Madhya Pradesh poll panel. It is unclear whether Sharma disclosed this familial link to the petitioners before the hearings.

The judge previously clashed with Justice Dipankar Datta, who argued the law fails to ensure an independent selection process. Additionally, Sharma’s bench reversed an Allahabad High Court order that had ordered a district magistrate, Medha Roopam, to compensate a detained student; Roopam is the daughter of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Sharma’s son also holds government counsel roles for the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Income Tax Department, GST, customs and excise. Critics, including political campaign convenor Saurav Das and Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra, questioned how a judge can remain impartial when close relatives serve the government in multiple high-profile legal capacities.