Justice CT Ravikumar’s farewell at the Supreme Court of India was an emotional event, filled with heartfelt tributes and praise for his outstanding career. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna called him “a God’s own man from God’s own country, Kerala,” recognizing his strong ties to his home state. Justice Ravikumar’s legacy of humility, fairness, and wisdom made a lasting mark on the judiciary. The event celebrated his valuable contributions and the respect he earned during his time in the court.
New Delhi: Justice CT Ravikumar’s final day at the Supreme Court of India was a poignant occasion marked by heartfelt tributes, warm memories, and deep respect for a judge who embodied humility, fairness, and wisdom.
The ceremonial bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, who celebrated Justice Ravikumar’s illustrious career and profound impact on the judiciary.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani expressed his admiration, saying,
“I wish you had stayed on the bench longer.”
He reflected on Justice Ravikumar’s contributions, emphasizing his balanced approach and dedication to justice.
CJI Sanjiv Khanna highlighted the judge’s gentle demeanor, remarking,
“I have never seen him raise his voice; he is so gentle by nature.”
He praised Justice Ravikumar as “a compassionate and noble individual, gentle yet firm,” adding that his rise from a rural background to the Supreme Court was an extraordinary achievement.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta commended Justice Ravikumar’s sharp legal acumen, impartiality, and humane approach.
Describing the judge’s spiritual side, Mehta noted,
“He is a god-loving individual blessed by Lord Ayyappa,”
Also wished him success in his future endeavors.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal shared a moving tribute, drawing parallels between Justice Ravikumar’s passions and his judicial philosophy.
Sibal said,
“You always played with a straight bat and left no room for rancor. Judges like you are deeply admired and will be missed,”
He also highlighted the judge’s love for cricket and nature, observing,
“Animals only kill out of necessity, while humans often don’t. Justice Ravikumar’s simplicity, fairness, and thoughtfulness are qualities cherished by the bar.”
SCAORA President Vipin Nair celebrated Justice Ravikumar’s journey, saying,
“Your first innings was remarkable, and the second promises to be even greater.”
CJI Khanna described Justice Ravikumar as “a god’s own man from God’s own country, Kerala,” highlighting his deep-rooted values and exceptional character.
He further noted,
“Though he will be in Delhi, his absence will be deeply felt.”
Justice Ravikumar himself reflected on his journey, expressing gratitude to the bar and his colleagues.
He said,
“The advocate within me has always been alive, which is why I hold the bar so dear,”
Drawing a cricket comparison, he added,
“Just as Indian cricket thrives in the second innings, I believe I can do the same.”
Justice CT Ravikumar’s career is a testament to integrity, dedication, and compassion. Rising from humble beginnings in Kerala, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations of legal professionals.
As he begins on his “second innings,” his contributions to the judiciary will remain deeply cherished, and his presence in Delhi promises continued service to the nation in new and meaningful ways.
Read Also: JUSTICE CT RAVIKUMAR
Born on January 5, 1960, in Thazhakara, a small village near Mavelikara in Kerala’s Alappuzha district, Justice Ravikumar’s father, KO Thevan, worked as a bench clerk at the Changanassery magistrate court.
He was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on August 26, 2021, taking his oath on August 31, 2021. Notably, he is the fifth judge from the Kerala High Court to elevate to the Supreme Court without having served as chief justice of a high court.
Justice Ravikumar began his legal career by enrolling as an advocate on July 12, 1986, and in 1990, he started independent practice in civil, criminal, service, and labor matters across various courts in Ernakulam and the Kerala High Court. He later held positions as Government Pleader, Additional Government Pleader, and Special Government Pleader (SC/ST) in the Kerala High Court.
Notable Judgements
Child in Conflict with Law through Its Mother v. State of Karnataka (2024)
The Supreme Court held that the three-month period stipulated under Section 14(3) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, for assessing the mental and physical capacity of a child under sixteen years to commit a serious offense, is not mandatory but merely directory. Furthermore, to address the lack of a specified time frame under the JJ Act for appealing a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) preliminary assessment order, the Court introduced a 30-day time limit for filing such appeals.
Shazia Aman Khan and Another v. The State of Orissa and Others (2024)
While deciding a child custody dispute, the Supreme Court granted custody of a minor to the aunt despite the father’s objection. The Court underscored that the welfare of the child is paramount and overrides any provisions of personal laws or statutes in custody matters.
Basavaraj v. Indira and Others (2024)
The Supreme Court addressed whether a plaintiff could amend a suit to change its nature, specifically from a partition suit to a declaration suit seeking to void a compromise decree. It ruled that amendments under Order 6 Rule 17 of the Civil Procedure Code that fundamentally alter the nature of the suit cannot be allowed.