“I will go to Allahabad HC if need arises to convince the Bar not to go on strike”, CJI HL Dattu

Supreme Court judge Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya was given farewell by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) yesterday. He is retiring today. The function, which was held in the Supreme Court lawns, was attended by Chief Justice HL Dattu, SCBA President Dushyant Dave, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and senior lawyers and former Supreme Court judges amongst others..Justice Mukhopadhaya is the first of the three Supreme Court judges who will be retiring this year, the other two being Chief Justice HL Dattu and Justice Vikramajit Sen. Justice Mukhopadhaya enrolled as an advocate in 1979 and practised in the Patna High Court. He was designated Senior Advocate in 1993 and was appointed Permanent judge of the Patna High Court on November 8, 1994. He, subsequently, served as the Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court and Madras High Court and as the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court on September 13, 2011..Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who spoke on the occasion said that Justice Mukhopadhaya should not retire from professional life completely..“He should take up job as member of some tribunal or do arbitration as many retired judges do and make money. There is nothing wrong in making money”, said Rohatgi..Subsequently, SCBA President Dushyant spoke about the need for the Bar and the Bench to co-operate to ensure that the Court functions smoothly. Dave assured the Bench that the members of the Bar will extend their co-operation for justice dispensation..“We should unite as a family. Bar and Bench should work smoothly to ensure justice. We the members of the Bar assure you that we will co-operate in every possible way”, said Dave..CJI Dattu spoke about the importance of working together while admitting that there might be a few hiccups..“My aim is to do only small things for the institution. I am also a human being and there might be a few hiccups”, he said..He then spoke about the incident of violence in the Allahabad High Court and said that he is in touch with Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court and will travel to Allahabad if need arises..“I will travel to Allahabad High Court if need arises to convince the Bar that going on strike is not a solution to the problem.”.Subsequently, Justice Mukhopadhaya spoke about how he began his career as a medical representative and then shifted to law practice on his father’s insistence. The gathering got to see a humorous side of the judge as he delivered a lively and entertaining farewell speech..Interestingly, Justice Mukhopadhaya also gave his take on one of the issues which is being fiercely debated currently – judges and lawyers meeting and socialising..“I have never believed that judges should not meet lawyers. I have always met lawyers at my home and will continue to do so. As long as you know yourself and remain strong, such things won’t affect [ your duties as a judge].”.The function came to a close with the vote of thanks proposed by SCBA Secretary Aishwarya Bhati.