Senior Advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Mr Kapil Sibal, spoke with deep admiration about Justice Trivedi during her farewell.
NEW DELHI: Justice Bela M Trivedi retired from the Supreme Court of India on Friday, after serving for more than three and a half years. On her last day in court, many respected voices from the legal community paid heartfelt tributes to her, recalling her contributions and journey through the Indian judiciary.
ALSO READ: BCI Urges SCBA, SCAORA to Honour Justice Bela Trivedi with Traditional Farewell
Senior Advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Mr Kapil Sibal, spoke with deep admiration about Justice Trivedi during her farewell.
“This court is a constellation of stars, and you are one of them,” he said, underlining her significance as a judge.
Highlighting her role as one of the few women in the highest court of the country, Mr Sibal pointed out,
“Just think about it, you are the 11th woman judge in this court. In the 75 years of this country, one lady judge was appointed every seven odd years. That itself is a great milestone.”
He also remembered a memorable incident in the courtroom involving a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Mr Sibal had requested the transfer of a person accused under UAPA from Karnataka to Kerala. However, Justice Trivedi declined the request.
He shared this moment from the past: “Out of a hunch, I said, ‘I expect your ladyship to have some empathy.’ Your ladyship then said, ‘You don’t know me then,'”
Mr Sibal recalled, adding, “Well, we knew you before you came here. And we will know you after you leave here. Thank you very much for what you have done. I don’t think any judge in this court bows down to popular sentiment.”
Justice Trivedi’s retirement was marked by controversy, as the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) broke with tradition by deciding not to host a farewell function in her honour. Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, who led the ceremonial bench, openly expressed his displeasure over the Association’s decision.
“I must deprecate openly, because I believe in speaking plainly… The association (SCBA) ought not to have been such a stand,” said CJI Gavai, who presided over the farewell proceedings.
He praised Mr Sibal and SCBA vice-president Rachna Srivastava for attending the ceremony despite the SCBA’s official resolution.
“I am grateful to Kapil Sibal and Rachna Srivastava, both of them are here. But the stand taken by the Association, I must deprecate openly… On such an occasion, such a stand ought not to have been taken by the Association,” the CJI said.
He further added, “So therefore, I am openly appreciating Sibal and Srivastava for their presence. Despite the resolution of their bodies, they are here. But what has been lost by the association, the presence of the Full House here, vindicates that she is a very very good judge. There are different types of judges, but that should not be a factor to deny what ought to have been granted.”
Justice Bela M Trivedi was born on June 10, 1960, in Patan, Gujarat. Before becoming a judge, she practised law for around ten years at the Gujarat High Court. Her judicial journey began in July 1995, when she was appointed as a judge at the City Civil and Sessions Court in Ahmedabad.
ALSO READ: New Supreme Court Collegium Announced After Justice Gavai Becomes CJI
An interesting highlight from her early career is that her father also served as a judge in the same court. This rare situation earned them a mention in the Limca Book of Indian Records under the title “Father-daughter judges in the same court.”
Justice Trivedi climbed the judicial ladder step by step and eventually reached the highest court of the country. She was elevated to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021, during a historic event when nine judges, including three women, were sworn in on the same day.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
