Justice Sripathi Ravindra Bhat, a distinguished judge of the Supreme Court, marked his retirement with a heartfelt farewell speech, reflecting on his illustrious career and the values that guided him. The event, organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, was a testament to his significant contributions to the Indian judiciary.
Justice Bhat expressed profound gratitude for the privilege of serving on the bench of the nation’s highest court, stating,
“I count myself to be amongst one of the most lucky persons to have ended my career here, as a member of the bench of the highest court of the country.”
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He fondly recalled the unique bond he shared with several colleagues, including Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice Kaul, and Justice Hrishikesh Roy, all of whom were his classmates at the Law Faculty, DU. He also acknowledged the honor of serving alongside Justice Viswanathan, a former colleague from the chamber of Mr. Vaidyanathan.
Delving into his personal journey, Justice Bhat highlighted the values instilled in him by his parents. He reminisced about his father’s village in Kerala, which remained without electricity until he was 22 years old.
“My parents ensured that I and my siblings had happy childhood memories,”
he shared.
Justice Bhat paid a touching tribute to his late sister, who tragically passed away at 44, and acknowledged the invaluable lessons he learned from senior advocates, Mr. KM Bhatt and Mr. Vaidyanathan. He emphasized that
“it is not knowledge which is needed but it is the practical solution to any problem and one’s ability to see clearly the solutions that the law can afford.”
He also expressed gratitude to legal luminaries like Ashok Sen, Fali Nariman, Sorabjee, and K. Parasaran, who praised his arguments in significant cases.
On the personal front, Justice Bhat acknowledged the sacrifices made by judges and their families. He expressed regret for missing out on witnessing his son Anirudh’s growth but remained confident in the values he had imparted. He also credited his wife, Mohini, for her unwavering support, stating,
“Whatever success I have achieved would not have been possible without her unfailing support and love.”
Justice Bhat’s speech was replete with wisdom and advice for younger members of the bar. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, compassion, and empathy. He concluded with a note of optimism,
“Today I stand with the satisfaction that much was done and I am conscious that a lot remains to be done. My advice is be fearless, be true to yourself, do not try to be someone else and constantly seek excellence.”
However, in a departure from tradition, Justice Bhat’s retirement did not witness the customary ceremonial bench shared with the Chief Justice of India, as CJI D Y Chandrachud was on an official tour in the US. This long-standing tradition, dating back to the formation of the Supreme Court in 1950, sees the retiring judge share the bench with the CJI in the latter’s courtroom on their last day in office.
Justice Bhat’s retirement marks the end of a tenure filled with notable judgments and contributions, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian judiciary.
