Justice Oka rushed to Mumbai after receiving news of his mother’s death, informing CJI BR Gavai and fellow judges. He performed her last rites in Thane and is set to return to work just two days later.
New Delhi: Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka shared with several lawyers shortly before his farewell ceremony,
“I could not give time to my mother for many years, now after retirement, I will stay with her for some time.”
Unaware to him, his mother, Vasanti Oka, was in a Mumbai hospital, nearing the end of her life.
By the evening, Justice Oka received the heart-breaking news. He notified Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and his fellow judges before heading to Mumbai. Later that day, he conducted his mother’s last rites in Thane.
Typically, rituals following the death of an immediate family member last several days. However, Justice Oka faced another significant duty: delivering verdicts on cases he had heard and reserved, which were scheduled for Thursday.
Sources indicate that Justice Oka was determined to return to court on Friday, May 24, his final working day, to fulfill these obligations.
A Supreme Court judge remarked on Justice Oka’s deep commitment to the institution. Just last Sunday, he attended a function honoring Justice Gavai, marking the last time he saw his mother.
Vipin Nair, president of the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association, which organized Justice Oka’s farewell, stated,
“Judges like Justice Oka come once in a generation. Like his first name ‘Abhay,’ he is the embodiment of fearlessness, courage, impeccable character, and unimpeachable integrity. His judgments reflect these qualities.”
He added,
“Despite suffering a great personal loss yesterday, Justice Oka will be back in the Supreme Court later tonight and adorn the bench for the last time. We are fortunate to have shared time with one of the greatest judges this nation has ever produced,”
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Justice Oka began his legal career in his father’s chambers at the Thane District Court, became an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in August 2003, and was elevated to a permanent judge in November 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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