Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna honored outgoing Supreme Court judge Justice C.T. Ravikumar at a farewell event, commending his ability to deliver swift justice through simple solutions. Justice Ravikumar’s humble beginnings and significant contributions to law were highlighted. He emphasized the importance of public discussions on high-profile judgments, maintaining judicial integrity as he departs.
New Delhi: In a heartfelt tribute to outgoing Supreme Court judge Justice C.T. Ravikumar, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna praised him for delivering justice swiftly and effectively through straightforward solutions. Speaking at a farewell event organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday, the CJI commended Justice Ravikumar for his exceptional approach to judicial work.
“Straightforward solutions make the judicial work much real, and justice much real for the real people. And that is outstanding in him. He has been able to effectively handle these difficult cases by ensuring that the people get justice as fast and as simple way as it is possible,”
said the CJI.
Justice Ravikumar, who retires on January 5, has had an illustrious journey from humble beginnings in Kerala to serving as a judge in India’s highest court. CJI Khanna highlighted the significance of his rural upbringing, noting his father’s role as a clerk in a magistrate’s court as his introduction to the judicial world.
“Coming from a rural background and achieving the distinction of serving as a judge of the Supreme Court is a remarkable accomplishment. Justice Ravikumar has not only achieved it but also outperformed in his duties,”
remarked the CJI.
Born on January 6, 1960, in Peermadu, Kerala, Justice Ravikumar graduated in zoology from Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, and obtained his LLB degree from Government Law College, Calicut. He began his legal career in 1986 and climbed the ranks to serve as a judge of the Kerala High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021.
The CJI described Justice Ravikumar as a “humane and noble soul” whose contributions to law were marked by simplicity and precision.
“He possessed the unique and striking quality of conveying his thoughts gently but firmly without the use of big words,”
said CJI Khanna.
Justice Ravikumar also reflected on his tenure, saying,
“I have complete satisfaction, but then it is for you, the legal fraternity and the public, to say whether it was satisfactory or not.”
Justice Ravikumar encouraged public discussions on judgments of public importance, emphasizing the value of constructive criticism.
“I am of the firm view that any judgment of public importance of the Supreme Court, there should be a public discussion and it should follow constructive criticism on it,”
he said.
The CJI said that he’s been told that Justice Ravikumar’s favourite nugget with young law clerks is-
“‘I see life as B to D, B for birth, D to death and c for contribution in between’. That is the motto he has lived by and reformed his work, professionally and in life”,
– CJI said.
As he bids farewell, Justice Ravikumar reiterated his commitment to upholding the integrity of the judiciary, stating,
“I will not be doing anything to shatter the confidence of the people in this judiciary. I will continue as a law-building citizen.”
The legal fraternity, including Attorney General R. Venkataramani and SCBA President Kapil Sibal, also lauded Justice Ravikumar’s contributions, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in India’s judicial history.
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES