Outgoing Supreme Court Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra in his farewell speech on Monday shared a recap of his experiences during his brief period as the head of the country’s highest court.
While delivering his farewell address at an event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), outgoing CJI said that the Indian judiciary is the “most robust institution” in the world and young lawyers are assets having a potential to develop the jurisprudence.
“Our judiciary has been strongest judiciary in the world having capability to handle a mind-boggling number of cases.”
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Outgoing CJI began his address saying that “history can be sometimes kind, and unkind. I don’t judge people by their history but by their activities, perspective”.
“In my whole career as a judge, I never dissociated myself from the lady of equity, I am indebted to Bar at every level and go from here with satisfaction.”
Overwhelmed by the response of his colleagues present in the event, an emotional Misra further said, “Today, I am compelled to believe that many good things that have been said about me are not out of courtesy, but because of genuine love. I shall cherish it forever.”
“Young members of the Bar enlighten our vision. I am of the view that while the experience of Bar is to be respected; the wisdom of youth also needs to be appreciated. I respect senior members and fondly respond to junior members. Today, young lawyers are assets and they have the potentiality to develop jurisprudence in new areas of legislation as law and jurisprudence cannot be static.”
Lauding the judges for making the Indian judiciary one of the most robust institutions in the world, the outgoing CJI stated that lawyers have an immensely responsible role to play.
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“Justice must have a human face and human approach. There are barriers that may attempt to divide us, but the golden thread of humanity binds us. When the Supreme Court Bar Association connects a judge with ground reality, it is a strong bridge. It does not mean that judges are not aware of reality, but I am talking of the bridge needed to connect,” he said.
Outgoing CJI also stressed that empathizing with the grievance of the common man implies delivering justice with equity. “All cases are equally important to us. Tears are tears, whether of the rich or the poor. When a debate is lost, scandal becomes the tool of the loser. Empathising with the grievance of the common man is delivering justice with equity.”
“I respect the Bar from the core of my heart. I don’t depart with goodbye; I will say we will meet again,” he concluded.
In the last two weeks, outgoing CJI Misra had delivered a series of key verdicts, including Aadhaar, live streaming of court proceedings, decriminalising adultery and decriminalising homosexuality.
On his last working day, outgoing CJI Misra also convened a court session with his successor Chief Justice of India-designate Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who will take over the reins on October 3.
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