Justice Vikram Nath urged judges to follow former Law Minister A.K. Sen’s example of calm leadership and clarity, emphasizing that true judicial strength lies in reasoned dialogue, respectful disagreement, and decisions the public can understand.
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NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath underscored the timeless relevance of former Union Law Minister Ashoke Kumar Sen’s leadership, calling his life and work a model for judges, lawmakers, and legal professionals in modern India. Speaking at the A.K. Sen Memorial Lecture held at the India International Centre, Justice Nath praised Sen’s calm leadership, clarity in communication, and unwavering commitment to legal reform.
Justice Nath noted that A.K. Sen, India’s longest-serving law minister, demonstrated an exemplary approach to governance and justice.
“He dealt with disagreement without raising his voice. He was willing to hear every concern but did not let debate become a delay. He believed that clarity is a form of respect—to the House, to the courts, and to the public,”
Justice Nath said.
He urged judges to emulate Sen’s principles by maintaining clarity, transparency, and accessibility in judgments so that “ordinary people can read and follow” the reasoning behind judicial decisions.
Justice Nath emphasized that justice delivery is a collective process, starting from the first complaint to the final appellate judgment.
“Law is a chain, not a single link,”
he said, highlighting the importance of every stakeholder, from police officers to trial courts and legal aid institutions, in maintaining citizens’ faith in justice.
Justice Nath said that Sen’s belief in strengthening institutions and protecting civil liberties remains crucial today as India navigates complex questions about data protection, digital speech, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability.
“None of these choices will be easy, but if we hold on to steady habits and remember that the law exists to serve people, the path will be clearer,”
he said.
Addressing members of the legal fraternity and aspiring lawyers, Justice Nath advised them to stay grounded in discipline and ethics.
“Do the simple things well—read carefully, be on time, respect everyone in the courtroom, and keep your language straight,”
he said, adding that character built through small habits earns the trust of courts and clients alike.
Justice Nath concluded by saluting A.K. Sen’s “remarkable work,” describing him as the “inevitable law minister” whose insight and diplomacy helped India navigate legal reform during politically challenging decades.
“Some people are known because they held high office. Others are remembered because they raised the standard of the work itself,”
he said.
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