'I Leave This Court With A Sense Of Fulfillment' : Justice Indu Malhotra On Her Last Working Day As SC Judge

"I am happy and leave this Court with a sense of fulfilment", Justice Indu Malhotra said on her last working day as a judge of the Supreme Court, choking with emotions.

As per convention, Justice Malhotra was sharing bench with the Chief Justice of India, on her last working day as SC judge. After the hearing, CJI Bobde and members from the Bar expressed their views regarding Justice Malhotra's retirement and wished her good luck.

After the Ceremonial Bench had finished hearing the case, CJI Bobde stated that the Bench will not rise untill the Bar has had a chance to express their views.

Attorney General Venugopal said that Justice Indu Malhotra is one of the best Judges the Court has had.

He added, "It's unfortunate that judges have to retire at age of 65 from the SC Bench, because of all the experience they have and knowledge they have gathered".

"We are sorry as a Bar that Justice Malhotra is retiring after having done human service, specially in the Sabrimala case, where she propounded Constitutional morality, and people were surprised. The integrity she had shown, specially as a women judge, by holding that women between 15 and 50 should not be permitted because if permitted the religious faith of the entire community would be violated", AG Venugopal said.

SCBA President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh stated that it was heartening to see that Justice Malhotra was participating in the hearing and contributing in the hearing even today on her last day as she had read the cases and she was actually associated in the decision making.

He stated that its true that Judges shouldn't retire till 70. "65 is an age when you are at your peak, there is no reason why Judges should retire at 65", Singh said.

Singh further stated that there should be immediate replacement , and another lady Judge should come in immediately. That would be a demand from the Bar.

"Justice Malhotra has been an icon. Its remarkable how she has been in the profession, its a huge inspiration for many others. She has been a motivation to the young members of the Bar, the lady members of the Bar. This is one profession which has not been very kind to the lady gender, and the way Justice Malhotra has risen is motivational " SCBA President Vikas Singh said.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi stated that his association with Justice Malhotra goes back to being a Junior assisting her father.

"Time flies, and some 40 years have gone by, and it doesn't seem that she is retiring. I think Justice Malhotra is too young to retire. I will welcome Justice Malhotra to the Bar to which she belongs so she can do some arbitration", Rohatgi said.

Advocate Shivaji Jadhav stated that its a great loss to the Bar that Justice Malhotra is retiring. "Justice Malhotra has been very sincere, hardworking and friendly to all advocates and has delivered many leading judgements. I wish her peaceful retired life", he said.

Senior Advocate Narsimha said " To me its a happy moment, as she is coming back to us. As a lawyer she did exceedingly well. As a Judge, she has made the Bar proud of her. We will have the freedom to talk to her and join her for a cup of tea. We will be inviting her to the Bar and spending lot of time with her"

Sr Adv Mohana said that its a proud moment for everyone to be present here.

"She is an exemplary example for all women, an exemplary role model for all of us. We are all motivated and inspired from her, how diligent, hardworking and focused she has been. We have learned how to conduct ourselves inside and outside the Court and how to maintain our dignity. Whenever she was there in the Court, there was a satisfaction that our case was heard, even if we win or lose" Mohanna said.

"I would like to say in the words of the Father of the Nation: Wherever you are you will always be in our heart.' : Advocate Vikas Bansal said.

Sr Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said that Justice Malhotra is not only an icon for women lawyers, but an example for all of us regardless of gender, because of the grace, the dignity, the patience, the decency and the wisdom she's brought to the Bench.

Chief Justice Bobde, while beginning his address stated the he realises the value of this custom of having a ceremonial bench. Sharing an instance from when Justice Malhotra had argued before him, CJI stated that " I've seen Justice Malhotra appear before me. On one instance, She wouldn't stop the argument, so i had asked my colleague why isn't she stopping. I was told she prepares so well that she can't resist telling everything she knows."

CJI also shared a personal instance, as to how Justice Malhotra has been a role model.

" One day my daughter who is also an advocate said something peculiar in a discussion, and i was wondering where she got it from. Then when i was talking to Justice Malhotra i heard the same thought. That's when I realised what a great role model she is, that my daughter was making the same arguement that She was making"

CJI further stated that " I do not wish to say anything about her judicial acumen. Her judgements are replete with knowledge firmness, great sense of justice. I don't know what makes you all think she is coming back to the Bar she will stay with us."

Justice Indu Malhotra, addressed and thanked everyone for their lovely words.

"My only message is that I have been blessed to have had an opportunity to serve on the Bench of SC. It has enabled me to contribute to the jurisprudence of this Court. Even if its was a short 3 year tenure, I leave this Court with a great sense of fulfillment."