The Kerala High Court held a full court reference to honour retiring Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, concluding his three-decade judicial career and tenure as the Court’s 39th Chief Justice. In his farewell, Justice Jamdar recalled his Kerala experience as professionally fulfilling and personally enriching.
KERALA: The Kerala High Court held a full court reference in honor of retiring Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, marking the conclusion of his over three-decade judicial career and his tenure as the 39th Chief Justice of the Court.
During his farewell address, Justice Jamdar reflected fondly on his experiences in Kerala, noting that his time there was both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.
He stated,
“I feel privileged to be part of this great institution,”
He recognized the professionalism of the Kerala Bar lawyers in supporting the judiciary and commended the effective administration of justice at the Kerala High Court.
He observed,
“Judgments consistently uphold equality, secularism, and justice. The temperament of judges is marked with humility, learning, and balance … The Kerala Bar brings intellectual rigor and clarity and has a profound respect for traditions. Arguments are not confined to legal technicalities alone, often engaging in broader societal questions,”
Justice Jamdar praised Kerala’s rich traditions, inclusivity, and communal harmony, stating that the State had left a lasting impression on him. He described the pursuit of justice as a spiritual journey, emphasizing that judges are defined not by their titles but by the choices they make, often alone.
He likened judgeship to a relay race.
He said,
“As I take leave of this office, I do so with a sense of fulfillment, for a judgeship is not an individual event nor a personal destination; it is akin to a relay race. Each of us runs our lap to the best of our ability and passes the baton forward. I have completed my lap, giving my utmost effort, and now I pass on the baton, confident it is in safe and capable hands,”
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The full-court farewell reference was attended by High Court judges, Kerala’s Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K, and President of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) Peeyus A Kottam, among others.
In his address, Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K characterized Chief Justice Jamdar’s tenure as one marked by fair, firm, and fearless justice, free from prejudice and indifference. Meanwhile, KHCAA President Peeyus A Kottam emphasized Chief Justice Jamdar’s unwavering commitment to constitutional values and his initiatives to reform judicial administration, including improving court infrastructure and promoting technological advancements.
Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar remarked that Chief Justice Jamdar would be missed by his colleagues at the High Court.
Justice Nambiar said,
“We will miss you, Chief. On this day when you take your final bow before this gathering, allow me, on behalf of my fellow judges, to wish you the very best in the next phase of your life… To the jurist, the well-wisher, and affectionate friend to the people of Kerala, I bid you a warm adieu,”
Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar was born on January 10, 1964, in Solapur, Maharashtra. He received his education at various institutions in Maharashtra and later earned degrees in Commerce and Law from Sydenham College and Government Law College in Mumbai.
Justice Jamdar began his legal career in 1989, specializing in administrative and constitutional law. Early in his practice, he represented several public bodies, including the Bar Council of India, and served as standing counsel for the Bombay High Court administration and the Union of India.
On January 23, 2012, he was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court, where he contributed significantly to the Court’s technological advancements through the computerization initiative.
In 2023, Justice Jamdar served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court before being appointed Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on September 26, 2024. He retires from his position today.
Chief Justice Soumen Sen will succeed Justice Jamdar as the next Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.