New Delhi, September 26, 2025 — The legal battles of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and whistleblower Sanjiv Chaturvedi have created an unprecedented chapter in India’s judicial history. In a rare sequence of events, 15 judges across different courts have now recused themselves from hearing his petitions, contempt cases, and related proceedings. This includes two Supreme Court judges, three from the High Courts, multiple Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) members, and even lower court judges.
The latest development came on September 26, when Justice Ravindra Maithani of the Uttarakhand High Court withdrew from hearing Chaturvedi’s contempt petition against the CAT and its registry. His brief order only stated that the matter should be placed before a different bench, without offering reasons.
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Early Recusals from the Supreme Court
The pattern of recusals in Chaturvedi’s cases stretches back more than a decade. In 2013, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, then a judge of the Supreme Court, recused himself from a petition filed by Chaturvedi. Later, in 2016, Justice U.U. Lalit also stepped aside from hearing another case. These instances set the tone for what would eventually become a prolonged and extraordinary trend.
High Court and Tribunal Judges Step Aside
Within the Uttarakhand High Court, three judges have recused themselves in recent years. Justice Rakesh Thapliyal (May 2023) stepped away from matters concerning Chaturvedi’s evaluation report, while Justice Manoj Tiwari (February 2024) recused from a petition related to his central deputation. The latest recusal by Justice Ravindra Maithani (September 2025) further underlined the reluctance of senior judges to hear the whistleblower’s cases.
The recusals have not been limited to High Courts and the Supreme Court. In February 2025, CAT members Harvinder Oberoi and B. Anand withdrew from his hearings and even directed that Chaturvedi’s cases should not be listed before them in the future. Similarly, in April 2025, Nainital ACJM Neha Kushwaha recused herself from a defamation case Chaturvedi filed against CAT judge Manish Garg, citing “family ties.”
A Whistleblower’s Long Battle
Chaturvedi, an officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, has consistently exposed corruption in various state and central government projects over the years. His work has often put him at odds with powerful figures, resulting in frequent transfers, disciplinary proceedings, and relentless legal confrontations. Experts describe his case as “a one-of-its-kind scenario in India’s judicial history, where such a large number of judges have stepped aside from matters involving a single individual.”
So far, the tally of recusals includes:
- 2 Supreme Court judges
- 3 High Court judges
- 2 lower court judges
- 8 CAT judges, including a former chairman
A Unique Moment in Judicial History
Legal scholars note that while recusals are not unusual—judges often step away to avoid conflicts of interest or bias—the sheer number of recusals in Chaturvedi’s cases is unprecedented. Never before in Indian judicial records has a single official’s legal battle led to so many judges refusing to preside.
The mounting recusals have left observers questioning whether systemic reluctance or unseen pressures are influencing judicial conduct in whistleblower cases. As Chaturvedi continues his fight against corruption, his legal journey is now also a stark reminder of the challenges whistleblowers face in securing justice within the country’s legal system.
