Today, On 23rd May, Justice Abhay S Oka, on his retirement day, said a judge must be firm and sometimes “able to offend” to uphold justice. He emphasized that firmness is essential for judges to make difficult but necessary decisions.
New Delhi: Supreme Court Judge Justice Abhay S. Oka, speaking on the eve of his retirement, emphasized the importance of a judge being firm and unafraid to offend when necessary.
During a ceremonial event marking his final day in office, he stated,
“I may have offended two lawyers but I believe that a judge has to be very firm and should be able to offend. One great judge has advised me that you are not becoming a judge to become popular. I followed that to hilt and I was harsh only to follow the constitution.”
Justice Oka expressed his hope that the Supreme Court will continue to uphold constitutional freedoms.
This statement came just one day after he traveled to Mumbai following the passing of his mother.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta remarked,
“Despite such an irreparable loss you treated duty as a judge first. You could have addressed virtually also.”
Justice Oka also mentioned that he “hates the word retirement” and made a commitment to hear as many cases as possible since January.
On his final day in office, he delivered 11 verdicts.
During a farewell event held on May 21 by the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), Justice Oka expressed his disagreement with the tradition of retiring judges not working on their last day.
Born on May 25, 1960, Justice Oka studied law at the University of Bombay and was enrolled as an advocate in June 1983.
He began his legal practice at the Thane District Court in his father Shreeniwas W. Oka’s chamber.
Also Read: Supreme Court Judge Justice A.S Oka: “Illegal Banners Violate Laws, Affect Public Spaces”
Justice Oka later served as a Judge of the Bombay High Court and as the LokAyukta. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on August 29, 2003, and was confirmed as a permanent judge on November 12, 2005.
He took the oath as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court in May 2019 and was appointed as a Supreme Court judge in August 2021.
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