1 week ago
Retiring Supreme Court Judge Karol Calls for Humble Justice
Justice Sanjay Karol retired from the Supreme Court after a long legal career.
At his farewell, he said judges are human and cannot make every decision perfectly.
He said judges should be humble and try to understand the real people behind court cases.
He also urged judges to listen to what people mean, including what they do not say directly.
Justice Karol said the Constitution requires courts to apply the law fairly, not just correctly.
He reminded people that some citizens never reach courts because justice may seem too expensive or frightening.
He said ideas of justice should guide people in their everyday choices, not only inside courtrooms.
He ended by saying he was returning to the role of an ordinary citizen.
Justice Sanjay Karol said judges are not gods and will not get every judgment right.
He urged judges to see the person behind each litigant and listen beyond formal arguments.
The Supreme Court held an emotional farewell for Justice Karol on his last working day.
Karol reflected on 40 years in courtrooms, including 19 years as a judge.
He said constitutional justice requires duty, dignity, honesty and fairness in ordinary conduct.
- Who
- Justice Sanjay Karol, along with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar leaders.
- What
- The Supreme Court held a farewell ceremony for Justice Karol, who spoke about judicial humility, justice and constitutional responsibility.
- Where
- The Supreme Court in New Delhi.
- When
- Saturday, August 22, Justice Karol's last working day; he had joined the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023.
- Why
- To mark Justice Karol's retirement and reflect on his 40-year legal career.
Key facts
- Judge
- Justice Sanjay Karol
- Supreme Court elevation
- February 6, 2023
- Legal career
- 40 years in courtrooms
- Service as a judge
- 19 years
- Earlier judicial roles
- Chief justice of the Tripura High Court and Patna High Court
- Earlier legal role
- Advocate general of Himachal Pradesh from 1998 to 2003
- Central message
- Judges should act with humility and see the person behind each case
Quotes
Justice Sanjay Karol
Retiring Supreme Court judge delivering his farewell address
“The Constitution does not ask us merely to apply the law correctly. It asks us to apply it justly. That is perhaps why the responsibility of judging has always seemed larger to me than simply deciding who is legally correct.”
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“We, as judges, are not gods. We will not get every judgment right. What was always in our hands was simple: to see the person, not just the petitioner.”
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