Became a strict judge to uphold Constitutional liberties: Justice AS Oka
Supreme Court judge Justice AS Oka on Friday said that he always believed in being a very strict & firm judge, who did not hesitate to offend anyone, in order to uphold the principles laid down by the Constitution
Speaking at his farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Oka recalled that a great judge once advised him that he should not think of taking up the judgeship, if he wanted to become popular.
Justice Oka said he followed the advice to the hilt, adding that he had always endeavoured to uphold the Constitutional liberties of this Court, which was the ultimate dream of the framers of the Constitution.
A Supreme Court judge always thought about the common man, he said, adding that former CJI Sanjiv Khanna brought transparency in the system, to restore the confidence of public in the institution.
Noting that the Supreme Court was currently a Chief Justice-centric Court, Justice Oka said efforts should be made to change this.
The top court of the country comprised 34 judges from different parts of the country and the same should reflect in its functioning as well, he added.
The retiring judge suggested the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for filing of cases.
He said people complained that while some cases were listed on the very next day of filing, others remained pending for many days. The listing system could not get better till manual intervention was reduced to the minimum.
Currently, the CJI as the master of roster, is responsible for allocating cases to different Benches. The system has often faced criticism and allegations of certain cases being listed before select Benches. The use of AI could help in rational listing, he added.
Justice Oka also revealed that in his judicial career, neither he nor his colleagues on the Bench ever delivered a dissenting judgment until two days back.
The Apex Court judge said that when a lawyer chose to join the judiciary, he/she may not get a good income, but the work satisfaction could not be compared with anything.
Nobody could control a judge except the Constitution and the law, he noted.
Justice Oka thanked his family members for providing him immense support throughout his legal career. He recalled that when he was elevated as a judge at the Bombay High Court, his father, who was then at the peak of his profession, immediately quit legal practice. His father never stepped inside Thane District court.
The Apex Court judge thanked his wife and his father for making huge sacrifices for his sake.
Justice Oka further expressed gratitude towards the bar members who turned up in a huge number to bid him farewell.
The retiring Apex Court judge said even though he was demitting office, he would continue to work for the cause of justice.
In a lighter vein, the Apex Court judge said today was the first and the last day of his judicial career, when he was not stopping the lawyers from speaking.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai called Justice Oka an outstanding judge and an extraordinary colleague, whose verdicts affirmed the core values of the Constitution.
The CJI applauded Justice Oka’s commitment to duty, which was exemplified by the fact that he came back to work a day after his mother’s death. He recalled that even when his father passed away, Justice Oka took only a day off.
Terming him a professor of law and ethics within the courtroom, the CJI said
Justice Oka always called the lawyers as first officers of the court. Behind his firmness was the dedication of a teacher. His courtroom always encouraged ethical advocacy. His sheer energy with which he worked over these years, has been commendable. He did not even take official accommodation when he became a judge, noted CJI Gavai.
He also thanked Justice Oka for his efforts behind the establishment of the National Law University at Aurangabad.
He disclosed that both he and Justice Oka won’t be taking any post-retirement jobs. The CJI said that after his retirement, both he and Justice Oka may perhaps work together.