Shameet Mukherjee, the former Delhi high court judge, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday, only after the CBI obtained the necessary clearance from the highest judicial authority and the Union law ministry.

The CBI seized keys to two bank lockers during raids on the judge's home. The lockers will be opened if the CBI obtains police remand for Mukherjee when he is produced in court on Thursday.

The judge's arrest has sent shock waves in the capital's legal circles. "I am shocked to read news reports about admissions made by the judge, particularly his links with women," a lady advocate of the Delhi high court said, speaking on condition of anonymity.