New Delhi: Opposition leaders in Maharashtra have criticised the appointment of Advocate Arati Sathe as a judge of the Bombay high court after it came to light that she had been serving as the official spokesperson for the Maharashtra BJP.

The proposal for the appointment of Sathe was approved by the Supreme Court of India, in its meeting held on July 28, 2025, reported New Indian Express.

Following her appointment, the Opposition leaders have demanded that she be removed to maintain fairness and impartiality in the Indian judiciary system.

Rohit Pawar, MLA and general secretary of NCP (SP), said that the appointment of a person who advocates for the ruling party from a public platform as a judge is the greatest blow to democracy.

“By merely possessing the qualifications to become a judge and appointing politically affiliated individuals directly as judges — isn't this tantamount to turning the judiciary into a political arena?” asked the NCP SP leader,” said Pawar.

He added that such appointments will have far-reaching consequences on the impartiality of the Indian judicial system.

"Doesn't the appointment of a political spokesperson as a judge undermine the principle of separation of powers and, by extension, constitute an attempt to subvert the Constitution? When a person appointed as a judge in a high court has a political background and has held a position in the ruling party, who can guarantee that the process of delivering justice will not be tainted by political bias? Doesn't the appointment of a single political figure raise questions about the entire process of justice delivery?” asked Pawar.

He also asked the government to reconsider the appointment of Sathe.

Maharashtra BJP media cell in-charge Navnath Bang said that Sathe had submitted her resignation as Maharashtra BJP’s spokesperson before her appointment as judge.

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