Yesterday, On 21st May, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai praised Justice Abhay S Oka as a “workaholic and dedicated to work” during a farewell organised by SCAORA, ahead of Justice Oka’s retirement on May 24.
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai praised Justice Abhay S Oka during a farewell event organized by the Supreme Court Advocate-On-Record Association (SCAORA) on Wednesday, as Justice Oka is scheduled to retire on May 24.
Gavai described him as a “workaholic” and acknowledged his significant contributions to the judiciary. He noted that the Supreme Court would be on summer break, or partial court working days, on the day of Justice Oka’s retirement.
In his address, the CJI reflected on their long-standing friendship, stating they have known each other for 40 years, having attended the same law college in Mumbai and begun their legal careers simultaneously.
Also Read: Supreme Court Judge Justice A.S Oka: “Illegal Banners Violate Laws, Affect Public Spaces”
Justice Gavai remarked,
“He is totally, totally a workaholic, dedicated to work. I won’t say much because I have to speak tomorrow. All of you will be there tomorrow (at a ceremonial bench and farewell hosted by the SCBA)… So I wish him well; I know that whatever he decides, he has chosen to limit himself to consultation after his retirement. I am sure that his retirement will not be an end but the start of a new chapter,”
He added that Justice Oka’s work ethic in both Mumbai and Delhi would keep him perpetually engaged.
He concluded,
“I wish him all the best on behalf of all my colleagues,”
In response, Justice Oka praised CJI Gavai, calling him a “true democrat.”
He noted,
“You must remember that he is a true democrat, and therefore the next day after he assumed office, we had a full court meeting, where numerous decisions were made, including the restoration of the practice of circulation of letters. He gifted us that immediately, just the second day after taking his oath, and I am sure many more gifts will follow.”
Justice Oka further emphasized,
“The previous Chief Justice provided a new direction for the Supreme Court, and I can assure you, because I know Chief Justice Gavai so well, that he will continue that journey towards transparency.”
Additionally, Justice Oka expressed his disagreement with the tradition that retiring judges do not sit on their last day.
He mentioned he had requested permission from the CJI to preside over a regular court session on Thursday.
Justice Oka stated,
“I told the Chief Justice of India yesterday that I don’t approve of the tradition followed in the Supreme Court, where retiring judges do not work on their last day. It may take time to change that tradition, but at least I find satisfaction in knowing that on my last day, I’ll be sitting on a regular bench and delivering some judgments,”
The judge, known for his significant judgments regarding the right to life and liberty as well as environmental protection, recognized the vital support of advocates-on-record in the Supreme Court, describing them as its backbone.
He stated,
“One is that advocates-on-record are the backbone of the Supreme Court of India, and in one of the judicial orders I have said that the quality of justice delivered by the Supreme Court depends upon the quality of assistance which the judges get from the members of the bar and especially the advocates-on-record,”
Justice Oka also mentioned that while SCAORA has implemented an extensive training program for lawyers, he urged CJI Gavai to facilitate training opportunities for young advocates at the national judicial academy.
Also Read: Justice Oka Joins 5-Member Supreme Court Collegium Led by CJI Khanna
Receiving applause from the lawyers, judges, and staff of the apex court, Justice Oka concluded,
“Therefore I am very happy that every member of the bar has given me cooperation, more than 100 percent cooperation, and that is why I could do some constructive work,”
Among those in attendance were Supreme Court judges and SCAORA officials, including President Advocate Vipin Nair, who also addressed the gathering.
The farewell highlighted Justice Oka’s lifelong dedication to justice, his humility, and his vision for a more inclusive and transparent judiciary.
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