Justice Shalinder Kaur, retiring from the Delhi High Court, reflected on her 30-year judicial journey, stressing compassion in adjudication. She dedicated her career to her father and thanked colleagues, mentors, and family.
New Delhi: Justice Shalinder Kaur, who recently retired as a judge of the Delhi High Court, shared heartfelt reflections on her long judicial journey during her farewell address at the full court reference organised in her honour.
The event was attended by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and other judges of the High Court, who recalled her significant contribution to the Bench and to the legal system.
In her speech, Justice Kaur underlined the weight of responsibility that comes with wearing the judicial robe.
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She said,
“The robe we wear bestows an authority with real-life implications,”
reminding everyone that court decisions deeply affect people’s lives and require compassion as much as legal reasoning.
Looking back at her more than 30 years in the judiciary, Justice Kaur said that every case carried its own importance for the parties involved.
She observed,
“There were days when the tussle was between the head and the heart, and each such matter taught me that adjudications travel far beyond the courtroom. In every file and in every litigant, I encountered not just law but stories and struggles.”
Speaking with emotion, she also acknowledged the challenges of her role, saying,
“Throughout my tenure on the Bench, I was constantly reminded that the robe we wear bestows an authority with real-life implications. There were times when the journey felt heavy and the road ahead daunting. But as I sat down to write this speech, I realised how kind memory can be; it softens the difficult days and brings forth the moments that truly matter. Over time, I came to understand that the rough patches do not last. They are chapters, not the whole story.”
Justice Kaur expressed her gratitude to the former Chief Justices Satish Chandra Sharma, Manmohan, Vibhu Bakhru, and to the present Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya for their support.
She warmly acknowledged her colleagues on the Bench as well, noting how their encouragement and cooperation shaped her years in the High Court.
Her address turned emotional when she spoke of her family, especially her parents. Dedicating her entire judicial journey to her late father, she said,
“With great emotion, I wish to dedicate this to my father, a man of firm resolve who had unwavering faith in the potential of his daughters. He never allowed the fact that he had three daughters to be seen as a limitation; instead, he made it the foundation of our strength.”
She also paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother, appreciating the sacrifices and encouragement that enabled her to pursue her career. Justice Kaur emphasised that her mother’s constant support played a crucial role in shaping her path.
Justice Shalinder Kaur completed her B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science from Miranda House, University of Delhi, in 1985, followed by an LL.B. from Campus Law Centre in 1988 and later an LL.M. from Kurukshetra University. She joined the Delhi Judicial Service in 1992 and was elevated to the Delhi Higher Judicial Service in 2003.
Over the years, she presided over a wide variety of cases, including sensitive criminal trials, civil disputes, matrimonial conflicts, child custody cases, and motor accident claims. She also heard matters investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Her career also included administrative responsibilities as District and Sessions Judge in Shahdara at Karkardooma Courts, and in South-East and South Districts at Saket Courts. She was entrusted as Judge In-charge of Delhi Mediation Centres at different stages of her service.
Justice Kaur’s role in promoting mediation was especially noteworthy. In 2005, she undertook 40 hours of specialised mediation training and later became a Master Trainer with the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Supreme Court of India.
She also completed her Training of Trainers (TOT) with experts from the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), UK, making her one of the key judicial figures to spread the culture of mediation in India.
Her farewell speech highlighted not just her personal milestones but also the larger philosophy of justice and compassion that guided her career.
By openly speaking about the struggles, challenges, and emotions behind her judicial work, Justice Shalinder Kaur left behind an inspiring message for the legal fraternity.
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