"I did my best:" Chief Justice of India SA Bobde bids farewell to Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India (CJI), SA Bobde said on Friday that he is retiring from office with the satisfaction of having done his best to lead the institution.

CJI Bobde demitted office on Friday and was speaking at a brief ceremonial good-bye function which takes place in the courtroom on the last working day of a judge.

"I leave with the satisfaction that I did my best," CJI Bobde said.

"I hand over the baton to Justice Ramana who will, I am sure, very ably lead the court," he added.

CJI Bobde was born in 1956 and enrolled as lawyer in 1978. He practiced before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court for over 21 years and was designated Senior Advocate in 1998.

He was made judge of Bombay High Court in March 2000 and was made Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court in October 2012.

He was elevated to the Supreme Court on April 12, 2013 and was sworn in as CJI on November 18, 2019.

On the occasion of his last Supreme Court sitting, senior lawyers present in the courtroom also bid farewell to CJI Bobde with Attorney General KK Venugopal lauding the CJI for his stellar efforts during COVID-19 pandemic.

While commenting that the retirement of a CJI is always a sad occasion, he added that the tenure of a CJI must be three years.

"In March 2020 the world was suffering from COVID19. The Supreme Court also had to take a call and the Bar thought the Court will close down. But then CJI Bobde rose to the occasion and started virtual hearing and almost 50,000 cases have been disposed of. It's a great achievement", AG Venugopal said.

As far as CJI Bobde's role was concerned, he added,

"Many young lawyers have suffered but a balance needs to be struck. Lawyers approached for financial aid and CJI then stepped in and realized that client and lawyers could not meet. CJI by a judicial order said limitation shall not apply from March 15, 2021, We should all unanimously applaud CJI for the work he has done."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also echoed the AG's sentiments.

"CJI SA Bobde will not only be known as a erudite and brilliant judge but also a loving and caring human, we will miss you. We wish you a healthy and successful life ahead," he said.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh expressed his agreement with the comments of the AG and the SG, remarking:

"I have seen the fitness of your Lordships fitness in the tennis court. There needs to be a constitutional amendment so that the tenure of the judges can be increased. I am echoing sentiments of AG and SG that by innovating virtual mode have kept wheels of justice moving."

Referring to the Supreme Court's decision to take up suo motu a case to check on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, in relation to which a hearing was held today, Singh added,

"You had taken up such a contentious matter on the last day too. This shows the involvement of the Judges and to ensure oxygen supply can be maintained. Till the last day you were concerned about what is happening."

Advocate Shivaji Jadhav also weighed in on CJI Bobde's role in ensuring courts remained functional amid the pandemic. He also called for the resumption of physical hearings in his comments:

"We acknowledge the smoothness with which the CJI created a transmission from physical to virtual courts. CJI Bobde will be remembered for his handling of the criminal justice system ... COVID-19 waves will remain .... please consider opening physical courts after summer vacation."

In response, CJI Bobde spoke of experiencing mixed feelings now that he is the one bidding farewell to the Supreme Court.

"I must say that last day has evoked mixed feelings which is difficult to describe. I have been a part of the ceremonial bench before but did not feel such mixed feelings which could enable me to say things clearly", CJI Bobde said.

He went on to comment that he leaves the Court with fond memories.

"I leave this court with happiness, goodwill with very fond memories of wonderful arguments, excellent presentation, good behavior, commitment to the cause of justice from not only Bar but all connected with it, I demit office after 22 years as a judge. It has been my richest experience in the Supreme Court. Camaraderie with my brother judges has been wonderful", CJI Bobde said.

He also made not to acknowledge the contributions of the Supreme Court Registry in the transition to virtual hearings, adding that while there may be some issues remaining with virtual hearings, the same can be ironed out later.

On a lighter note, he commented:

"Advantages (of virtual hearings) was that hearings were homely as I could see hills behind lawyers, sculptures and paintings behind lawyers including guns and pistols. The painting behind SG Mehta has been removed now."