'I Want Juniors To Seize Opportunities To Argue', Justice Muralidhar During Farewell Ceremony By DHCBA

"Right now, I am all padded up and ready to take fresh charge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court", when Justice Dr S Muralidhar of Delhi High Court finished his speech with these words, the large gathering of advocates gave a standing ovation with an astounding round of applause, signifying their sincere respect and love for the judge.

The judge was speaking at a function organized by the Delhi High Court Bar Association to bid farewell to Justice Muralidhar, who has been transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court after 14 years of service in Delhi High Court.

 Chief Justice D N Patel said that Delhi High Court was losing an "eminent judge".

Justice Muralidhar began his reply speech by stating how he became a lawyer by accident. He said that his association with law degree happened by chance, through his friendship with a lawyer's son, with whom he used to play cricket. Justice Muralidhar recalled how he used to feel impressed with the neat array of bound volumes of law reporters in the shelves of his friend's father. When his friend said that he was applying for law, Justice Muralidhar also decided to join him, dropping his plans to sign up for MSc course.

Justice Muralidhar then recounted his early days of practice as a junior in the chamber of former Attorney General G Ramaswamy, who he said was a man gifted with "razor sharp memory". 

"It was an opportunity of learning by first hand of somebody taking a bold step, by sheer instinct, of advising the client and making good that advice by getting the law laid down", Justice Muralidhar said about his experience as G Ramawamy's junior.

Justice Muralidhar recalled that G Ramaswamy was a lawyer who was sought out for tough cases. 

Justice Muralidhar also recollected his experience as a counsel for the victims in the Bhopal gas tragedy case, in which he made multiple appearances in the Tribunal in Bhopal for compensation.

He also said that even as a judge, he used to feel the urge to "argue", and had several intellectually engaging exchanges with lawyers on various topics of law. He also shared a funny moment which occurred in Court, when his chair played mischief and came down amidst an intense exchange with Senior Advocate Ravinder Sethi, leading to minor embarrassment.

Justice Muralidhar's speech, dotted with wit and wisdom, ended with a funny anecdote. He said that he was a lover of 'puns' and never missed an opportunity to use them.

Once a young lawyer asked him "Sir, do you dye?"

"We all have to, one day", Justice Muralidhar replied, and the audience erupted into laughter.

He also had a word of advice for young lawyers. He said that he never appreciated when young lawyers appeared before only with an appearance slip and without any paper to seek adjournments or passovers.

"I want juniors to come prepared and seize opportunities to argue", he said.