Judgments Are Nothing But Waste Papers If Not Implemented In True Letter & Spirit: Justice Battu Devanand Of Madras High Court

"In my opinion passing orders and rendering judgments is not the only duty of courts and judges. Unless the judgements are implemented in true letter and spirit, it is nothing but waste papers."

Justice Devanand, who speaking at the oath ceremony, also said that lawyers and judges are forever students of law and must always be ready to upgrade their knowledge about a broad spectrum of subjects. 

"Lawyers and Judges are forever students of perpetually evolving subject of law. We must always be ready to upgrade our knowledge in a broad spectrum of subjects so as to be able to fulfil our role as custodian of the interest of all the stakeholders and as protectors and defenders of the constitution. We, the people of India, are the true masters and all the three branches of the constitutional governance must serve to safeguard their interest."

Justice Devanand was transferred to the Madras High Court from the Andhra Pradesh High Court on March 23. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his transfer in November last year.

Speaking about his transfer from the Andhra Pradesh High Court to the Madras High Court, he said that it felt like moving to the affectionate arms of a grandparent from the lap of a parent as Andhra Pradesh High Court itself was carved out from the Madras High Court.

He also spoke about how Dr Ambedkar’s interactions with the great minds in Tamil Nadu like Periyar may have contributed to the Constitution.

"Dr. BR Ambedkar’s interactions and deliberations with Periyar here in Tamil Nadu might have definitely reflected in some crucial pages of the primary law of the land that is the Constitution of India. The legacy of such luminaries spills over throughout the course of legal history made by this august High Court. It has a unique contribution in shaping the laws of our nation."

With Justice Devanand’s transfer, the Madras High Court now has a working strength of 61 Judges as against the sanctioned strength of 75 judges.