I am conscious of the need to follow social justice: Chief Justice

Laments “constant interruptions” in process of fulfilling task

Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice of Madras High Court, addressing the 2nd State Conference of Tamilnadu Federation of Women Lawyers in Madurai on Saturday.- Photo: S. James

Chief Justice of Madras High Court Sanjay Kishan Kaul on Saturday said that he was conscious of the need to give representation to all sections of society while considering names for elevation as judges of the High Court but lamented that “constant interruptions” were made in the process of fulfilling the task.

Delivering his inaugural address at the second State conference of Tamil Nadu Women Lawyers’ Federation here, he hoped to be given the time required to complete the task.

“Once I complete the task, I don’t think any section would have anything to complain,” he said amidst thunderous applause.

In a veiled reference to demands made by Bar associations early this year seeking adequate representation for various communities, caste groups and women, he said he had been picking people from a particular age group since he wanted all deserving people to be a part of the Bench.

He also recalled how he insisted on elevating three women Senior Counsel in the Delhi High Court in 2012 despite resistance from other quarters on the ground that enough number of women were already there in the Bench and hence there was no necessity to elevate all the three.

“I said we don’t count how many men we elevate. So, why should we count how many women we elevate? They did not deserve elevation because they were women. They deserved elevation because they were advocates, I thought. Whether liked or not, this is my approach,” he added.

In his address, Isaac Mohanlal, president, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bar Association, said that women need not attempt to compete with men in every walk of life since the latter were no match to the former who were naturally blessed with the divine ability to procreate.

Federation president K. Santhakumari, secretary J. Nisha Banu and Preeti Shah of All India Federation of Women Lawyers also spoke in the day-long event participated by Madras High Court judges A. Selvam and M.M. Sundresh.

Earlier, the Chief Justice released a souvenir and unveiled a painting by Chennai-based artist N. Swarnalatha on violence against women.