‘Judgeship Has Given Me Great Sense Of Satisfaction’: Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma Bids Farewell To Delhi High Court

On his elevation as a judge of the Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on Thursday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court and said that judgeship has given him a great sense of satisfaction.

“During my 15 years on the bench, I have been fortunate to have dealt with cases concerning people from all walks of life and from all parts of the society. As a judge, I've always tried to spread the wings of my jurisdiction in a manner that the litigant goes back with a relief,” the judge said.

Earlier this week, Chief Justice Sharma’s name was recommended for elevation by the Supreme Court Collegium. Two days thereafter, his appointment was cleared by the Union Government.

Chief Justice Sharma will be taking oath as a Supreme Court judge today. The judge was elevated as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High in 2008, after which he was transferred to Karnataka High Court in 2021. Later, he took oath as the Chief Justice of Telangana High Court in late 2021 and was transferred to Delhi High Court last year.

“As I look back today, I have no hesitation in saying that I owe all the milestones in my journey to the kindness and support of those who found me on my way and showed me the right path from time to time,” Chief Justice Sharma said today in his farewell speech.

The judge said that justice to the litigant has always been his consistent goal and he cannot tell whether or not he succeeded in doing the same as he cannot be a judge in his own cause.

“But I can confidently say that judgeship has given me a great sense of satisfaction,” he added.

Chief Justice Sharma said that the ability to “alleviate the sufferings of a litigant” and to be able to uphold their rights is the hallmark of justice.

“When I joined the bench 15 years ago, I was full of gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Madhya Pradesh. Today as I proceed to the Apex Court of the land, I'm filled with the same sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of this great nation,” he said.

Chief Justice Sharma thanked his family members, his wife and two sons and said that the innumerable sacrifices made by them on a day to day basis have enabled him to work to the best of his ability.

“Let me say that this is not a goodbye moment for me. Rather, it's a thank you moment for me. I'm thankful to my colleagues on the bench for gracefully accepting me and for providing me a cordial working,” the judge said.

He added: “As a Chief Justice one is required to indulge in lots of administrative work and at this level, work brings with itself second certain challenges. In those moments I could not have sailed through without the support of my colleagues who are present today. I'm equally thankful to the members of the bar for always assisting me and for always holding me in high esteem.”

“Bar and bench must always share a bond of mutual respect as it is important for the ultimate goal of delivery of justice. As I see it, the pursuit of justice is a common goal. Law Officers of the central government, Law Officers of the NCT of Delhi, senior advocates and other members of the bar, I thank you all for joining me in the pursuit of justice.”

While recommending Chief Justice Sharma’s name, the Supreme Court Collegium had noted that he was the second-most senior judge across the country, and the most senior from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which was his parent high court.

Among other things, his appointment would enhance the representation in the top court of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which currently has only one judge from there, the Collegium said.