Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court retired on April 15, 2026, delivering a defiant farewell speech in which he defended his controversial past remarks. Addressing the Full Court reference held in his honor, Justice Yadav addressed the "hate speech" allegations that had plagued the final phase of his career, asserting that he was not at fault and that his words had been "twisted and presented" in a distorted manner. "Mera koi dosh nahi tha. Tod marod ke pesh karne walon ka tha," he stated in Hindi, translated as, "I had no fault. It was the fault of those who twisted and presented it."
The retirement brings a quiet end to a turbulent period that saw an impeachment motion initiated against him in the Rajya Sabha. The motion, backed by over 50 Opposition MPs, was sparked by a December 2024 speech at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event where he reportedly used communal slurs and stated that India should run according to the "wishes of the majority." While the impeachment process had stalled due to procedural delays and signature verification issues, his retirement officially nullifies the motion, as such proceedings are only applicable to sitting judges.
In his final address, Justice Yadav strongly refuted claims of communal bias, looking toward the advocates and stating that no one could say he discriminated while delivering justice. "You are lawyers of every caste here; no person can say that I discriminated while delivering justice," he claimed, emphasizing that he never differentiated between lawyers based on their background or seniority. He also thanked the members of the Bar for their support, admitting that he might have "broken" during the controversy had it not been for their backing.
Beyond the specific 2024 controversy, Justice Yadav’s tenure was marked by several unconventional judicial pronouncements. He had previously gained national attention for an order suggesting that cows should be declared the national animal and granted fundamental rights, famously asserting that cows are the only animals that both inhale and exhale oxygen. Despite being summoned by the then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and asked to issue a public apology—which he reportedly declined—Justice Yadav remained steadfast in his views until his final day on the Bench.