In times of trouble, do what you are obligated to do, he tells judges
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, S.H. Kapadia, retired on Friday. At a farewell function organised here by the by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Mr. Justice Kapadia, hailing from the Parsi community, said he started his career as an assistant in Mumbai.
Recalling the great help rendered by his seniors in the legal profession, Mr. Justice Kapadia said during his career as a judge spanning over 22 years, he had never taken a single day’s leave.
In an emotional voice, he said that all these years he could not remain with his father (92) and mother (88) and they were being looked after by his brother. He said his father imbibed in him the values of honesty and integrity.
He said he was also inspired by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, whom he called as an excellent judge. Indian judges could match their foreign counterparts, sometimes they were even better. Thanking his companion judges for their cooperation, Mr. Justice Kapadia told them: “Please remember that in times of trouble do what you are obligated to do. You [Judges] should have professionalism, objectivity, judicial reticence and knowledge more subtle than intellect.” “Do the right thing. Rest leave it to God. We judges can't change the world. If you do your duty and dispense justice, you have done your job.”
Justice Altamas Kabir, who is to be sworn in as the Chief Justice of India on Saturday, said that for Mr. Justice Kapadia integrity was an asset and he imposed self-discipline. His tenure was remarkable.
Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati said that Mr. Justice Kapadia was a giant of a judge with high integrity and inflexible rectitude.
President of the Supreme Court Bar association P.H. Parekh was among others who paid encomiums to Mr. Justice Kapadia.
Keywords: S.H. Kapadia, CJI-designate Justice Altamas Kabir, farewell party, Supreme Court Bar Association, Supreme Court
what is meant by ...knowledge more subtle than intellect..?
Personalities like Justice Shri S.H.Kapadia are a hope and a source of inspiration for people to live their lives sticking to the eternal principles of life that of righteousness and discipline- which principles people are finding it difficult to follow today, despite wanting to, in their quest for the barest survival in the absence of any such atmosphere prevalent around them.
No one will say farewell to Judge Sri S H Kapadia, as he will always live in the collective memory of India. One prays and hopes that the soft bt firm guiding hand has left an indelibe mark on the judiciary. Personaly. I a not sanguine. Where has Indian political class and politics descended to, after Nehru, Patel, Morarji, Rajaji just to name a few? Just a deep abyss of corruption of all kinds,not just monetary. Of course one group will be happy to see Jj. Kaadia go, the UPA, their allies and many babus. One wishes that there is no retirement age for Supreme Court judges, but then --- better left unsaid! Let us all wish J. Kapadia, in his well earned rest, a happy and healthy life. He will never be called for a sinecure appointment or to head an enquiry ommission and that is not his los!!!
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