For the first time in the history of the Supreme Court, the proceedings of the Apex Court were streamed live on Friday.
As the Court braced up to bid farewell to Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, he sat in the middle of the ceremonial bench, with CJI designate Justice U.U. Lalit on the left and Justice Hima Kohli on his right.
Dushyant Dave, Senior Advocate and former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), broke down as he bid farewell to the CJI.
Calling him a ‘Citizen’s judge’, Mr. Dave said Justice Ramana has always performed his duty with a spine.
He further said that Justice Ramana was leaving the court in the great hands of Justice Lalit (CJI designate) and Justice Kohli.
As per Mr. Dave, “You left this country with amazing constitutional morality and constitutional ethos. It has been a pleasure appearing before you.”
Stating that the CJI lived beyond everybody’s expectations during his more than 16 months tenure, the Senior Advocate said the atmosphere and power that Justice Ramana gave to the institution, will be carried forward by his successor.
He concluded by thanking the 48th CJI for the contribution he made during around eight years in the Supreme Court and said that Justice Ramana will be ‘missed’ dearly.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal that besides these two families- one biological and second of the Bar, there was a third family that the CJI took great care of, which was the family of judges.
Remembering the Covid-19 pandemic, Sibal said the CJI took very good care of the family of judges during this period and beyond.
He said the court will forever remember Justice Ramana for maintaining the ‘dignity’ and ‘integrity’ of the court during turbulent times.
Sibal said Justice Ramana made sure that the government was made answerable for its deeds, besides keeping in mind the vision of the nation in the course of his judicial determination.
He further said that the CJI collaborated with everyone for maintaining high standards of the judiciary, which led to the upswing of the court. Sibal concluded by saying that he was sure Justice Ramana’s successor, Justice Lalit, will carry forward this upswing.
The proceedings were telecast live for the public on the webcast portal of National Informatics Centre (NIC).