On her last working day as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Hima Kohli was lauded by both the Bench and the Bar as a fierce protector of women's rights..A ceremonial bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, along with Justice Kohli, was convened this morning to mark the occasion."There were times when she steadfastly stood by me when the going was tough. Hima, you are not just a woman judge, but a fierce protector of the rights of women to have equal working conditions," CJI Chandrachud remarked.He shared that earlier in the day, Justice Kohli had expressed hope that another woman judge would be added to the Supreme Court Bench. "There was a lot of speculation among judges as to why the first five (judges) were not at the (coffee) lounge (this morning). Hima, in her own way, said 'well, they (five judges part of Collegium) may be filling up my vacancy. I only hope a woman judge is coming in my place,'" CJI Chandrachud said. .Justice Kohli expressed her gratitude to her fellow judges and lawyers for making her feel at ease during her three years as a Supreme Court judge. "All of you made it easy for me. I felt at home. These three years have been very great - a learning experience with Chief, my senior colleagues, each one has been so kind. The Bar is so warm, so affectionate and always ready with some help or other. Many thanks for being there in my life.".Attorney General R Venkataramani said,"In a casual conversation, Justice Hima Kohli asked me - 'you had something to say in Kannada language when Justice Bopanna retired. You must do justice by learning Punjabi for my farewell speech'. But it was quite a daunting task. Better I choose my little southern Indian English language to do justice to her farewell speech," he said.He proceeded to praise Justice Kohli for dedicating her entire life to the cause of justice.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that while Justice Kohli is known to be stern and has a tough exterior, she also has a compassionate side to her."Your Ladyship has taken a stand whenever it was required - and we salute your Ladyship for that," he said..Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal expressed that Justice Kohli's stint at the Supreme Court has been too short. In a lighter vein, he added,"When we go to your court, and your glasses are at the bottom of your nose, and you are looking above, we know we're in trouble. You have a stern look but an empathetic heart, and we know that through your judgments. Nobody can bowl a googly to you."Sibal added that Justice Kohli was destined to be a judge and that the lawyers will always remember her for her efforts. Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) President Vipin Nair added,"Anybody on the wrong side of the law knew that their litigation journey is going to end here, with justice to the other side. Milady has also taken care of that lonely woman working in the workplace and the innocent flat buyer. The beautiful balance that you maintained has enriched our experience.".Justice Kohli completed her LL.B. from Law Faculty, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi in 1984. After practicing for over two decades, she was elevated as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in May 2006, and as a permanent judge in August 2007. She was then appointed as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court in January 2021, before her elevation to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021.
On her last working day as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Hima Kohli was lauded by both the Bench and the Bar as a fierce protector of women's rights..A ceremonial bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, along with Justice Kohli, was convened this morning to mark the occasion."There were times when she steadfastly stood by me when the going was tough. Hima, you are not just a woman judge, but a fierce protector of the rights of women to have equal working conditions," CJI Chandrachud remarked.He shared that earlier in the day, Justice Kohli had expressed hope that another woman judge would be added to the Supreme Court Bench. "There was a lot of speculation among judges as to why the first five (judges) were not at the (coffee) lounge (this morning). Hima, in her own way, said 'well, they (five judges part of Collegium) may be filling up my vacancy. I only hope a woman judge is coming in my place,'" CJI Chandrachud said. .Justice Kohli expressed her gratitude to her fellow judges and lawyers for making her feel at ease during her three years as a Supreme Court judge. "All of you made it easy for me. I felt at home. These three years have been very great - a learning experience with Chief, my senior colleagues, each one has been so kind. The Bar is so warm, so affectionate and always ready with some help or other. Many thanks for being there in my life.".Attorney General R Venkataramani said,"In a casual conversation, Justice Hima Kohli asked me - 'you had something to say in Kannada language when Justice Bopanna retired. You must do justice by learning Punjabi for my farewell speech'. But it was quite a daunting task. Better I choose my little southern Indian English language to do justice to her farewell speech," he said.He proceeded to praise Justice Kohli for dedicating her entire life to the cause of justice.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that while Justice Kohli is known to be stern and has a tough exterior, she also has a compassionate side to her."Your Ladyship has taken a stand whenever it was required - and we salute your Ladyship for that," he said..Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal expressed that Justice Kohli's stint at the Supreme Court has been too short. In a lighter vein, he added,"When we go to your court, and your glasses are at the bottom of your nose, and you are looking above, we know we're in trouble. You have a stern look but an empathetic heart, and we know that through your judgments. Nobody can bowl a googly to you."Sibal added that Justice Kohli was destined to be a judge and that the lawyers will always remember her for her efforts. Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) President Vipin Nair added,"Anybody on the wrong side of the law knew that their litigation journey is going to end here, with justice to the other side. Milady has also taken care of that lonely woman working in the workplace and the innocent flat buyer. The beautiful balance that you maintained has enriched our experience.".Justice Kohli completed her LL.B. from Law Faculty, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi in 1984. After practicing for over two decades, she was elevated as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in May 2006, and as a permanent judge in August 2007. She was then appointed as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court in January 2021, before her elevation to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021.
