Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia’s Emotional Farewell From Supreme Court
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Outgoing Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia says the apex court will remain the “torchbearer of freedom and justice” as he bids an emotional goodbye, recalling his love for “Hindustan.”
New Delhi: On August 8, Outgoing Supreme Court judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia on Friday expressed strong confidence that the faith of people in the Indian judiciary will always remain intact. He said that the Supreme Court will continue to be the “torchbearer and custodian” of freedom and justice in the country.
Speaking at his farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Dhulia, who is set to retire on August 9, said it is the trust of common citizens that keeps the judiciary and the entire justice system alive.
While paying glowing tributes to Justice Dhulia for his service to the judiciary, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai recited a famous line from a Hindi movie song, saying —
“Abhi na jao chhod kar ke dil abhi bhara nahi (do’t just leave yet, for the heart longs for more)”.
Justice Dhulia remarked,
“I am confident that the faith in our courts and judiciary will never be shaken and the Supreme Court of India will continue to be the torchbearer and custodian of freedom and justice in this country.”
On the ceremonial bench earlier in the day, Justice Dhulia shared that he had grown used to hearing cases and lawyers from across India, adding,
“I am going to miss my Hindustan.”
At the farewell event, CJI Gavai said Justice Dhulia’s retirement marks the close of a significant and distinguished chapter in India’s judicial history.
He stated,
“Over the course of his illustrious career as a judge, Justice Dhulia delivered several landmark decisions that have had a lasting impact on Indian jurisprudence.”
The CJI further pointed out that Justice Dhulia’s judgments dealt with a wide range of important issues, from property transfer matters to protecting citizens’ fundamental rights in the context of social justice. He added,
“In a profession where power and authority can sometimes overshadow compassion, Justice Dhulia always remained grounded.”
CJI Gavai also highlighted Justice Dhulia’s earlier involvement in theatre and his passion for cinema, especially Italian films and timeless classics.
He said,
“Had he not chosen the legal profession, it is no exaggeration to say that Justice Dhulia would have excelled as a film maker or an actor.”
In a lighter tone, he added,
“On a lighter note, had Justice Dhulia stepped into his brother Tigmanshu’s shoes to play the character of Ramadhir Singh in the ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’, I believe that the character would have still been unforgettable.”
Justice Dhulia’s brother, Tigmanshu Dhulia, is a noted filmmaker.
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In his own speech, Justice Dhulia said being a judge in the Supreme Court was always challenging but also extremely fulfilling.
He remarked,
“One factor which distinguishes Supreme Court from all other courts is the pace of work, the pace with which the work is done here, particularly the Mondays and Fridays.”
He also recalled how, in remote rural areas, common villagers who face harassment or trouble from authorities often say they will go to the high court to get a stay.
Justice Dhulia explained,
“Now it is this faith, this faith in the common man, which has kept our judiciary and the system alive.”
Emphasising the role of lawyers, he said, “Lawyers must speak with courage and integrity and should always be fearless.”
Attorney General R Venkataramani, SCBA president and senior advocate Vikas Singh, and several others also spoke at the farewell.
During his address, SCBA president Vikas Singh praised Justice Dhulia for his resolve to vacate his official bungalow on the day of his retirement.
He said,
“Now we have had a recent example of a chief justice wanting to overstay. Chief justice is allowed six months only. He had already stayed in that house for eight months. I was surprised to see him using the ground of his disabled children.”
Vikas Singh added,
“He moved straight away to a government home, and he is not entitled to any government accommodation.”
A month ago, in an unusual move, the Supreme Court administration had written to the Centre to vacate the official residence of the Chief Justice of India at 5, Krishna Menon Marg, New Delhi, noting that former CJI D Y Chandrachud had stayed beyond the allowed time. Earlier in August, however, Justice Chandrachud vacated the residence.
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Justice Dhulia was born on August 10, 1960, and took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 9, 2022. He began his legal career in the Allahabad High Court, and after the creation of the Uttarakhand High Court in 2000, he shifted there.
He became a senior advocate and was elevated to the bench in 2008. On January 10, 2021, he took oath as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
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