I Did Not Become A Judge In Ukraine Or Pakistan, But In Bharat With A Well Preserved Constitution: Justice PN Prakash Retires From Madras High Court

Justice PN Prakash, the puisne judge of the Madras High Court on Wednesday retired from service. In a farewell speech, he said he became a judge only because of the constitution that the people of the country have protected since 1950.

"I did not become a judge in a country like Ukraine where judges are forced to carry arms to defend their country. I did not become a judge in a failed state like Pakistan where my hero Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary had to fight [Pervez] Musharraf every other day and issue habeas corpus ... I became a judge in this country called Bharat which has a Constitution which has survived from 1950 to 2023, drafted by Dr. Ambedkar and his glorious team ... and the people of India who have protected this constitution. Had this constitution not been there, I would not have become a judge at all," said Justice Prakash in his speech at the farewell. 

The judge also went on to praise his companion judges at the high court. He also acknowledged the dedication with which the Registry and other staff at the High Court are discharging their duties.

"65% of our staff are women. They are all homemakers who have to send their children and make everything at home ... and then rush to the court and attend to the advocates. What a commitment they have," he said.

Justice Prakash praised the members of the bar who approach the court with clear submissions. He said a broad minded bar and the staff members helped him in his endeavour.

Ending his farewell address, Justice Prakash said: "I am not retiring. I am evolving. I was a lawyer. I became a judge and what is going to be my third inning, I have several options before me". He said he can work for prison reforms or teach law to the poor students.

Justice Prakash, who enrolled as an Advocate in 1984, was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court in 2013. He was later made a permanent judge of the High Court in 2015. Before being elevated as a judge, Justice Prakash had held the position of Public Prosecutor for various government agencies.