'Fiercely Independent & Impartial': Chief Justice N V Ramana Bids Farewell To Justice Navin Sinha

While bidding farewell to Justice Navin Sinha, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana praised him for the ingrained sense of public ethics, fairness, independence, impartiality and non-biased perspective. Chief Justice noted that the process of decision making goes beyond the knowledge and application of the principle of law. It requires moral courage to render an opinion that might displease many. He remarked,

"It is imperative for judges not to be swayed by these external pressures. Brother Sinha is a man of impeccable integrity, strong morals, and the conviction to always stand by his principles. He is fiercely independent and impartial. Impartiality is not an easy quality to possess or apply to the cases before us. We often carry our baggage- our biases and prejudices, which can unconsciously affect the decision-making process. Our social conditions, upbringing and life experiences often colour our opinions and notions."

Emphasizing the crucial aspects of equality, objectivity, and even-handedness in decision making, Justice Ramana noted that judges must make a conscious effort to cast aside their biases and prejudices. He reminded that at the heart of every case, there is a social dimension that cannot be ignored.

Praising Justice Sinha for his balanced approach, Justice Ramana referred to him as a true personification of the virtues necessary for an apex court judge.' He quoted the famous saying,

"Doing the right thing is not the problem. Knowing what the right thing is, that's the challenge."

Referring to the work of the judges as a 'tight-rope walk', he remarked that judges are often caught in the dilemma of morality versus legality in their quest to deliver justice. He emphasized the particular struggles of being a judge of the Supreme Court as it is the apex court final arbiter. He noted this to be why the framers of the Constitution gave the Supreme Court the power under Article 142 to render complete justice.

"This is our sacred duty and a burden that we bear gladly," he added.

He expressed grief on losing a valued colleague and friend while lauding Justice Sinha to have carried the burden upon his broad shoulders with ease. In this quest, he always brought forward the humane side of the law.

Justice Ramana recited a Sanskrit saying which, when loosely translated into English, reads:

"A crow and a koyal bird may look alike. Only when testing times come, one reveals its true self."

Justice Ramana extended his sincere gratitude to Justice Sinha for his continued support through good times and difficult times. On a lighter note, he said,

"The members of the Bar have presented before Brother Justice Sinha another issue to resolve on the day of retirement. One of them today suggested that Justice Sinha should take off on a bike, whereas another member advised him caution as the roads are not safe in Delhi. Brother Sinha, of course, is capable of addressing this dilemma judiciously."

Justice Ramana appreciated the support extended by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President of the Bar Association, who acknowledged the struggles of the members of the Bar. Justice Ramana assured that the Bench shall reciprocate the support in equal measure.

Background of Justice Navin Sinha

Justice Sinha was born on August 19 1956. His paternal grandfather was the first Advocate General of Bihar, Babu Baldev Sahay, while his maternal grandfather was the Padma Bhushan awardee, Dr Raghunath Saran, who was a personal physician to India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad.  Sinha's father was a reputed officer who superannuated as the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, while his mother was a social worker associated with the Indian Red Cross.

Justice Sinha finished his schooling at St. Xavier's High School in Patna and graduated from Hindu College, New Delhi. He studied law at the University of Delhi. Justice Sinha began his career in law as an advocate in 1979, practising with great success before the Patna High Court for 23 years in all areas of law, including Civil, Constitutional, Service, Commercial and Criminal. He was then appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Patna High Court on February 11, 2004. He was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court on April 09, 2015. On May 14, 2016, he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.

Justice Sinha was elevated as a Judge of this Court on February 17, 2017. He penned 114 judgments on diverse topics, including Intellectual Property, Criminal Law, and many more during his tenure. He has disposed of over 13,671 cases in the Supreme Court.

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