The Central Government has officially notified the transfer of Justice Atul Sreedharan from the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh back to his parent Madhya Pradesh High Court. The notification, issued on March 13, 2025, states that the transfer has been made under Article 222(1) of the Constitution of India, following consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
With this transfer, Justice Sreedharan is directed to assume charge as a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, marking his return to the court where he was first appointed as a judge on April 7, 2016.
The transfer was formally announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Justice, which reads:
“In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Shri Justice Atul Sreedharan, Judge, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, as Judge of High Court of Madhya Pradesh and to direct him to assume charge of his office in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh.”
Earlier, in a meeting held on March 6, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the repatriation of Justice Sreedharan to his parent High Court. The move comes nearly two years after he had sought a transfer from the Madhya Pradesh High Court due to personal reasons.
Justice Sreedharan had requested a transfer in early 2023, citing that his elder daughter was beginning her legal practice and would be appearing before the District Court and the Indore Bench of the High Court. To avoid any potential conflict of interest and to uphold judicial integrity, he sought relocation. Acknowledging his concerns, the Collegium recommended his transfer to the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on March 28, 2023.
Born on May 24, 1966, Justice Atul Sreedharan began his legal career in 1992 after completing his law degree. He initially trained under Senior Advocate Gopal Subramanium before practicing independently in Delhi and later in Indore. Over the years, he gained expertise in criminal, civil, and service matters, representing both government and private entities.
After serving as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court for nearly seven years, Justice Sreedharan was transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in 2023. His tenure in Jammu & Kashmir has been notable for several key judgments.
