Justice S Abdul Nazeer had a difficult life growing up; even scavenged for fish on beach: CJI DY Chandrachud

Supreme Court judge Justice S Abdul Nazeer had a tough time growing up and had to struggle on farms and beaches, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Wednesday..Justice Nazeer had an arduous journey from his humble roots to judgeship, the CJI said."He is a farmer at heart and it was a difficult life for Justice Nazeer to grow up on his uncle's farms and he had even scavenged for fish on the Perambur beach which used to wash up there. It was a journey from there," said the CJI.The CJI was speaking at the farewell function organised for Justice Nazeer by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).The CJI said that Justice Nazeer was a judge dedicated to the law and all those affected by it and was a "people's judge". .Justice Nazeer had done everything expected of him and contributed immensely to jurisprudence in areas of administrative law, family law and more, the CJI added."Justice Nazeer has been here and has done everything what is expected of a judge. He wrote so many judgements on cross-examination of witnesses, even though he himself did not cross examine witness in his early years.. He offered support and encouragement to others.".The CJI also mentioned that in his college days, Justice Nazeer, was fond of theatre. He wrote dialogues, shot scenes and was also the female lead singer in his own play. "He is known for his Tulu songs," added the CJI. .Further, he highlighted Justice Nazeer's simplicity highlighting that the judge did not even have a passport till 2019 and first travelled outside the country to Moscow only a few weeks ago. "He is simple to the core. Until recently his only IDs were driving license and judges ID. His passport was made in 2019 and he said that the first stamp on that passport was when he travelled to Moscow a few weeks ago.".CJI Chandrachud concluded his address, stating that the Supreme Court was bidding farewell to "a devoted son, a collegial colleague, a gentle employer, a fierce advocate, a people's judge and a dear friend."Earlier today, the CJI had said in open court that Justice Nazeer always stood for what was right and was not one to remain neutral when faced with right and wrong..SCBA President Vikas Singh, who also spoke on the occasion, commended Justice Nazeer for his stance in the Ayodhya case in concurring with the majority opinion despite hailing from a minority community."It was expected that Justice Nazeer will give a separate opinion in Ayodhya case but he is truly a secular judge and he agreed with the majority view and that shows his attitude that nation comes first and an individual like him comes last," Singh said.That is what is expected of a judge who is an Indian and serve the institution as an Indian, Singh added.He also said that appointment of Justice Nazeer to the top court was testimony to the fact that the Collegium system is functioning well."Appointment of Justice Nazeer shows that the collegium system is also functioning smoothly since Justice Nazeer was not from any background and was from the minority as well. It shows the system is working to bring good people to the court," he said..It was expected that Justice Nazeer will give a separate opinion in Ayodhya case but he is truly a secular judge and he agreed with the majority view. SCBA President Vikas Singh.Justice Nazeer was born on January 5, 1958 and enrolled as an advocate on February 18, 1983. He practiced before the Karnataka High Court and was appointed as an additional Judge of the High Court on May 12, 2003. He became a permanent judge on September 24, 2004. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on February 17, 2017..[Read our live-coverage of the event below]