Judges should leave mark on society: CJ

CHIEF JUSTICE Anang Kumar Patnaik today called upon lawyers and judges to excel in their work and leave their mark on the society in a manner that legal fraternity and people remember them for their contribution to enrichment of justice. He added that it was not enough that his family alone remembers a person.

 Speaking as the chief guest at the function organised by Justice Nevaskar Library Trust and Indore District Bar Association to mark the birth centenary year of Justice Vishnu Raghunath Nevaskar here this evening, he said that the late judge was one such example.

Quoting the response Justice Nevaskar received from Bar members when he was elevated as the High Court judge in 1952, Chief Justice Patnaik said that he was congratulated for his well-deserved appointment, as the lawyers thanked the President for making a wise decision.

Adding that Justice Nevaskar justified his appointment, he cited how controversial were the present elevations. “There is some degree of controversy whenever a lawyer or judge is elevated (to High Court or Supreme Court),” he remarked. Nevertheless, he commended the District Bar for introducing a tradition to celebrate the centenary year of a late Judge, as it would help deserving people to come forward. He also commended the Nevaskar family and Trust for donating books to the District Bar library.

In his keynote address as a special guest, Himachal Pradesh Governor Justice V S Kokje eulogised Justice Nevaskar for encouraging upcoming lawyers to grow up as sincere, knowledgeable and committed persons.

Recalling his days as a lawyer while arguing before the Justice Nevaskar in Indore, he said that the late Judge demanded that advocates came prepared while he heard arguments with patience before pronouncing judgements.
Justice Kokje also recalled the contribution of senior lawyer late S R Joshi under whose tutelage he honed his legal skills.

He said that he learned a lot from Joshi (who worked as junior lawyer under Justice Nevaskar) and the late Judge. “They were ideals and had constructive approach,” Governor said, and called upon the lawyers to make full use of library.

The function began with members of Nevaskar family paying tributes to their late member. Retired High Court Judge Justice P D Mulye proposed vote of thanks, while Bar Association secretary Mukesh Jain presented mementoes to the guests. Those present at the function included HC Justice S K Kulshreshtha, Justice A M Sapre, and Justice S K Seth among others.