“My Career As A Judge Began With Lawyers' Strike And It Ends With Their Strike”: Justice KJ Thaker Bids Farewell To Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday held a full court reference on the occasion of superannuation of Dr. Justice Kaushal Jayendra Thaker.

In view of the state-wide strike by the advocates in UP, Justice Thaker recalled that even when he began is career as a Judge, a lawyers' strike was going on. “My career as a judge began with a strike of the lawyers, my career end as a judge of the High Court with a strike,” he remarked.

He further recalled a conversation with Justice Bharat Bhushan and said, “even on my last day, though there was a strike, the lawyers permitted me to work.”

Justice Thaker said he believes that farewell is for showing reverence and therefore took the opportunity to thank the Almighty, his parents, wife and children. Emotional Justice Thaker also thanked his mentors Justice Zaveri and Justice SK Gupta for their guidance and the Bar for accepting his 'shortcomings'. He said the Bar never made him feel like an outsider.

“Though my Lord told that I was cool and sober, I have never differed with my seniors but on a dissenting note, I was never cool. I have learnt a lot from the bar here. They have tremendous depth. The only feeling is that they take you, if you give them what they need, dates, adjournments, judgments, and even if you don’t give that, they love you,” he said responding to the Chief Justice's speech.

Justice Thaker also expressed gratitude to all his Court staff and home staff for looking after him for the last seven years.

In his parting remarks, Justice Thaker said, “Is your mission on Earth over? If you are alive, it is not. So my mission does not end with the fourth innings. I will start my fifth innings from 4^th (September).”

Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker lauded Justice Thaker for his work in the motor accidents claim cases and arbitration and mediation. “During his tenure he has always been committed to judicial work and decided good number of cases, particularly relating to motor accident claims. I do not think but for Dr. Thaker, anybody else in this Court has decided such number of cases and is known as the subject expert.”

CJ said Justice Thaker "always kept cool" and he will miss the morning discussions with Justice Thaker. “Brother Thaker will be remembered as a good and sober judge...He has been courteous and polite.”

CJ Diwaker further said that Justice Thaker is known for his teaching during court proceedings as well as for delivering lectures to students and various other persons. "Even now he has every intention to be connected to the teaching profession.”

Dr. Justice Kaushal Jayendra Thaker graduated in Law from Gujarat University. Thereafter, he pursued Masters and was awarded Ph.D. in Environment Law from Gujarat University. He Joined the Bar in 1987 and practiced in the Gujarat High Court in labour, service, constitutional, civil and criminal matters.

Justice Thakkar was appointed directly as District Judge in February, 1997. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Gujarat High Court on 4^th May, 2013. Subsequently, he was transferred to Allahabad High Court and took oath as Additional Judge on April 11, 2016. He took oath as a Permanent Judge of the Allahabad High Court on March 14, 2018. Justice Thaker is retiring on 3^rd September, 2023. Since the High Court is closed from 31^st August to 3^rd September, the full Court reference was held today.