Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has said that he will consider the Bar leaders’ demand from various Bar associations to withdraw the collegium’s recommendation to transfer Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court, informed president of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association Anil Tiwari on Thursday.

An assembly of representatives from six different High Court Bar associations convened with the CJI and other Collegium members, including Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, Abhay S Oka, and Vikram Nath, in the afternoon.

Following discussions on the Bar associations’ memorandum, Tiwari indicated that they would reconsider their decision on the ongoing indefinite strike, which commenced on March 25 in protest of Justice Varma’s proposed return to his original posting at the Allahabad High Court.

The day began with Bar representatives from High Courts across Allahabad, Gujarat, Kerala, Jabalpur, Karnataka, and Lucknow submitting a memorandum to the CJI’s office and requesting a meeting with Justice Khanna.

The situation surrounding Justice Varma includes allegations of cash found at his residence following a fire on March 14, which led to concerns about tampering with evidence. The members of the Bar associations have expressed their dissatisfaction over the lack of an FIR regarding this incident.

In their memorandum, the Bar associations commended the CJI for taking steps towards transparency, including making the report from the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court available on the apex court’s website. They called for the withdrawal of Justice Varma’s transfer and the reinstatement of all administrative tasks that had been removed.

The memorandum urged the CJI to initiate criminal proceedings, citing concerns that articles were removed from Justice Varma’s residence a day after the fire. They emphasized that failure to register an FIR could hinder the prosecution of any potential accomplices.

This cash discovery incident transpired during a fire at Justice Varma’s Lutyens Delhi residence, which prompted a swift response from fire services. As a result of the controversy, the Supreme Court collegium recommended Justice Varma’s transfer back to the Allahabad High Court, withdrawing his duties following a directive from the CJI.

On March 22, the CJI established a three-member committee to conduct an internal inquiry into the allegations, with plans to publish the findings from Chief Justice D K Upadhyay of the Delhi High Court. Justice Varma firmly denies the allegations, asserting that neither he nor his family members placed any cash in the storeroom.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday lashed out at the Maharashtra government, questioning why stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra was summoned for allegedly mocking Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, while actor Rahul Solapurkar faced no action for his controversial remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Kamra was recently issued two summons by the Mumbai Police after a parody song in his show, perceived as a dig at Shinde, sparked outrage. The comedian’s parody video led to Shinde supporters storming the recording studio. Calling it a selective action, Thackeray said “He didn’t even name Shinde, yet Kamra is being targeted,” said Thackeray. He also accused the Maharashtra government for shielding Eknath Shinde while ignoring more serious issues.

Kamra vs Solapurkar: Thackeray questions double standards

Thackeray contrasted the swift action against Kamra with the lack of any summons for Rahul Solapurkar, who claimed in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal officials—an assertion that triggered backlash from some right-wing groups. “Has even one summons been sent to Solapurkar?” Thackeray asked, calling out what he sees as biased governance.

He further questioned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s support for Shinde, stating, “The CM is protecting the man Kamra didn’t even name. What right do you have to take action against him?”

BJP’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ campaign branded as political gimmick

Thackeray also took aim at the BJP’s Eid outreach campaign, calling the ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ kits distributed to Muslim households nothing more than a ploy for votes. “This is not a gift from Modi but a gift of power—‘Saugat-e-Satta’,” he said. Thackeray also accused the BJP of long using anti-Muslim sentiment and now reversing course for electoral gains. “They should clarify whether they want to feed Muslims or poison them,” he said.

Sharp criticism of handling of past incidents

Speaking at press conference, Thackeray also questioned the state government’s inaction in several incidents like Pune Porsche crash case, saying sarcastically, “He’ll probably be asked to write a 300-word essay.” He also raised questions about the unresolved case of a student’s death in a police encounter in Badlapur and criticised the lack of progress on the Shivaji Maharaj memorial project in the Arabian Sea.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has initiated a comprehensive drive to improve cleanliness and streamline record management across its offices. Under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, the initiative is being closely monitored to ensure timely and effective implementation across departments.

Focus on record sorting and systematic disposal

According to an NMMC official, the departments have been directed to complete office cleanliness and document management tasks by the end of March. Following the directions, various teams have been started reviewing the documents to discard unnecessary files and preserve essential ones as per regulatory guidelines.

Each department is classifying documents into four categories—A, B, C, and D—for systematic archiving and easier retrieval. So far, a total of 1,50,471 files have been successfully sorted under this classification system. However, the multiple inspection committees have been formed to oversee the implementation of the 100-day office cleanliness plan. These committees will regular audits the pending files to track progress and ensure adherence to protocols.

Training and systems to boost efficiency

In a bid to standardize the documentation process, the administration recently held a training session led by record management expert Satyajit Bade. His guidance is helping departments follow uniform practices for better document handling.

Additionally, the six-bundle filing system has been introduced to ensure orderly documentation. Departments are also eliminating outdated and unused items to declutter office spaces and create a more organized working environment.

Upgrades in office infrastructure

The NMMC is not only focusing on cleanliness but also upgrading office infrastructure to improve public service. Waiting areas are being revamped, drinking water facilities are being ensured, and restrooms are being maintained with better hygiene standards. Directional signboards are being installed, and efforts are underway to make offices visually appealing and more welcoming for citizens.

The municipal body aims to transform its offices into efficient, clean, and citizen-friendly environments, setting a benchmark for good governance and administrative modernization.