Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde Friday mentioned he was leaving the Supreme Court with “happiness, goodwill and very fond memories” and the satisfaction of getting finished his greatest.
Justice Bobde, who determined a number of key circumstances throughout his tenure together with the historic Ayodhya verdict, was administered oath because the forty seventh CJI in November 2019 and is retiring at the moment.
He headed the Indian judiciary through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic making certain that the apex courtroom saved functioning albeit by way of video conferencing.
“I need to say that final day has evoked combined emotions which is troublesome to explain. I’ve been part of the ceremonial bench earlier than however didn’t really feel such combined emotions which may allow me to say issues clearly.
“I leave this court with happiness, goodwill with very fond memories of wonderful arguments, excellent presentation, good behaviour, commitment to the cause of justice from not only Bar but all connected with it,” Bobde, who was talking on his final within the apex courtroom, mentioned.
Bobde mentioned he was demitting workplace after 21 years as choose and it has been his richest expertise within the prime courtroom and the camaraderie with brother judges has been fantastic.
Contending that transition to the digital mode throughout coronavirus pandemic wouldn’t have been attainable with out the registry, Bobde mentioned that there are various unsatisfactory issues about digital hearings which may be ironed out.
“Advantage was that hearings were homely as I could see hills behind lawyers, sculptures and paintings behind lawyers including guns and pistols. The painting behind SG Mehta has been removed now,” he mentioned.
“I leave with the satisfaction that I did my best. I hand over the baton to Justice N V Ramana (48th CJI) who will I am sure will very ably lead the court,” Bobde mentioned.
Attorney General Ok Ok Venugopal mentioned the tenure of a CJI have to be a minimal of three years.
“In March 2020 the world was affected by COVID-19. Supreme Court additionally needed to take a name and bar thought courtroom will shut down.
“But then CJI Bobde rose to the occasion and started virtual hearing and almost 50,000 cases have been disposed of. It’s a great achievement,” Venugopal mentioned, including that bar ought to unanimously applaud the CJI for the work he has finished.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned CJI Bobde is not going to solely be often known as a erudite and sensible choose but in addition a loving and caring human being with wonderful sense of humour.
Supreme Court Bar Association president and senior advocate Vikas Singh mentioned that is no age (65) to retire and a Constitutional modification must be introduced to extend the retirement age of judges.
“You had taken up such a contentious matter (pertaining to COVID-19) on the last day too. This shows the involvement of the judges and to ensure oxygen supply can be maintained. Till the last day you were concerned about what is happening,” Singh mentioned.
Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association president Shivaji Jadhav mentioned, “We acknowledge the smoothness with which the CJI created a transmission from physical to virtual courts. CJI Bobde will be remembered for his handling of the criminal justice system.”
He additionally urged that after the summer season trip the apex courtroom ought to think about opening the courts for bodily listening to with due precautions.
Born on April 24, 1956 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Justice Bobde accomplished Bachelor of Arts and LLB levels from Nagpur University. He was enrolled as an advocate of the Bar Council of Maharashtra in 1978.
Justice Bobde practised legislation on the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court with appearances at Bombay earlier than the Principal Seat and earlier than the Supreme Court for over 21 years. He was designated as senior advocate in 1998.
Justice Bobde was elevated to the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, as Additional Judge and sworn in as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court on October 16, 2012.
He was elevated as a choose of the Supreme Court on April 12, 2013.
