Supreme Court judge, Justice M.R. Shah, on Monday said that he was not a person to retire. He would start his new innings soon and would pray to the Almighty to give him strength for the same.
Attending the Ceremonial Bench proceedings organised by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Shah said that he was immensely thankful to the bar and the Registry for accepting him and for the kind words and sentiments they showed for him.
The sitting judge further expressed his gratitude to his support staff and residence staff for supporting him in his legal journey.
Stating that he did not know whether he deserved it or not, Justice Shah said he was accepting all the accolades showered on him as a ‘parting gift’.
Giving his last speech as a sitting Supreme Court judge, Justice Shah said that though he never deliberately hurt anyone’s feelings during his tenure, but if anyone felt otherwise, he said he was apologising for the same today.
He said he always treated his work as worship and was overwhelmed by the love and affection shown by those around him.
While bidding farewell to the Apex Court, a teary-eyed Justice Shah broke down and sang a song by Raj Kapoor, “Kal Khel mein hum ho na ho, gardish me taare rahenge sada.”
CJI Chandrachud recalled his long association with Justice Shah, stating that they sat together during the most difficult times of Covid-19. It was a true pleasure to sit with him – whether it was criminal cases or the newly emerging law on GST. He was always ready for a challenge.
The CJI said that if he sent a judgment for Justice Shah to write, it would be on his table in 48 hours. Calling him a true friend and great ally on board of the Supreme Court Collegium, the CJI said he relied on Justice Shah massively for his worldly knowledge on judiciary.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that he has known Justice Shah as a judge and as a lawyer too. He has been one of the few bravest judges that the SG said he knew till date.
The number of judgements that Justice Shah has written shows that his family has suffered the most and now, they must get the benefit of Justice Shah.
Additional Solicitor General Suryaprakash V. Raju said that he has known Shah since the 1990s, when he was a CBI counsel and Raju used to address him as Mukeshbhai. The ASG called Shah a fearless and just lawyer.