Only Time Can Assess How One Acquits Oneself In The Enterprise Of Cause Of Justice: Bombay High Court Bids Farewell To Justice Gautam Patel

The Bombay High Court today held a Full Court Farewell Reference to bid adieu to Justice Gautam Patel, as he retired after a tenure spanning over a decade.

Justice Patel expressed gratitude for the honour of a Full Court Reference, a tradition that has never been observed before in the Bombay HC on the occasion of a judge's retirement. He reflected on the significance of serving the cause of justice and acknowledged the invaluable support he received from members of the bar, both senior and junior. Justice Patel also credited his friends, who provided constructive criticism and guidance, keeping him on the right path.

“There was another band of friends, they happened to be lawyers, but they were first friends, to whom my debt is truly unrepayable. Because they had the courage of true friends to call on me and tell me how egregiously wrong I was and why I should mend my ways and should not have acted that way. That is very reassuring because there was at least one friend who can tell you when you set a foot wrong It keeps you on the right path.”

Justice Patel reflected on the inability of individuals to assess their own contributions to the justice system, recognizing that history would ultimately judge their actions. Instead of dwelling on self-assessment, he emphasized the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving for the opportunities and support received throughout his career.

“How one acquits oneself in this enterprise of the cause of justice is something that we can never assess ourselves. Somebody else will assess that for us. Time will assess that for us, and one day as we stand before the most exacting judgment of all the judgment of history that alone will tell us how well or badly, we had done. So, this is not a time for that reflection. This is time for thanksgiving”, he said.

Justice Patel shared his emotional attachment to the Bombay High Court building, describing it as a unique institution that holds a special place in his heart. He urged everyone to preserve the legacy of the High Court. He said:

“I will beseech everyone that please do not let go of this institution. At least keep something here. When you do set up another institution wherever it is, do just one thing. You carry forward these 150 years of justice delivery. Take a stone from this building and lay it as a foundation stone there. Keep that bridge alive.”

Justice Patel reminisced about his cherished moments spent in his chambers, particularly by two intertwined trees outside, which he said symbolized the relationship between the bar and bench.

“These two trees are like bar and bench. They cannot do without each other. Each should support the other and as long as they are together, we are in good hands," he added.

As he bid farewell, Justice Patel humorously remarked on resisting the temptation to say "seriously?" to the gathering, before concluding with a final bow.

Chief Justice Upadhyaya lauded Justice Patel's scholarly contributions, noting his prolific writing in books, newspapers, and essays. He emphasized Justice Patel's unique style of judgment writing and his compassion, which he said were essential qualities for a judge of a constitutional court.

“Many have spoken about his compassion. Justice blended with compassion is perhaps the correct approach, especially for a judge of a constitutional court”, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said.

Justice Upadhyaya expressed hope that Justice Patel would now have more time to pursue his other passions, such as teaching, to benefit students and future lawyers.

Members of the Bar, including Advocate General Birendra Saraf, Senior Advocate Nitin Thakker, Advocate Uday Warunjikar and Advocate Farhana Behramkamdin remembered Justice Patel's initiatives to improve the system through technology, his judgment writing style, his compassion and sense of humour, and keen sense to solve problems, not just through judgments but through other means as well.