Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Upadhyaya Bids Farewell, Reflecting on Law, Justice and Compassion
Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya is leaving the Delhi High Court to become a judge of the Supreme Court.
At a farewell gathering, he said he tried to bring law, fairness and compassion together.
He explained that sometimes an unexpected situation can make applying the law seem unfair.
In such cases, he said he tried to guide the law toward a just result for a deserving person.
He said being a judge brought him satisfaction and let him help ease people’s troubles.
He also said he should not decide for himself whether he had always delivered justice.
Upadhyaya thanked his colleagues for what he had learned at the Delhi High Court.
He said the court handles complex and serious cases.
Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre will lead the Delhi High Court as Acting Chief Justice.
At his Delhi High Court farewell, Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya said he tried to bring law, justice and compassion together.
He said he sometimes tried to “softly bend” the law toward justice when unforeseen circumstances left a deserving litigant without a just outcome.
Upadhyaya said judging had given him satisfaction and opportunities to ease litigants’ suffering, but he would not judge for himself whether he had delivered justice.
The Supreme Court Collegium recommended his elevation on September 28, and the government notified his appointment on October 5.
Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre was appointed Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court after Upadhyaya’s elevation.
- Who
- Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Acting Chief Justice-designate Nitin Wasudeo Sambre.
- What
- Upadhyaya bid farewell to the Delhi High Court and reflected on his approach to judging before taking up his Supreme Court appointment.
- When
- October 6; the Collegium recommended Upadhyaya’s elevation on September 28, and the government notified the appointment on October 5.
- Where
- Delhi High Court premises, New Delhi.
- Why
- The gathering was held to bid farewell to Upadhyaya following his elevation to the Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court Collegium recommendation
- September 28
- Government appointment notification
- October 5
- Delhi High Court appointment
- Upadhyaya took oath as Chief Justice on January 21, 2025
- Previous chief justiceship
- Bombay High Court; oath taken July 29, 2023
- Earlier judicial service
- Judge of the Allahabad High Court
- Acting Delhi High Court Chief Justice
- Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre
- Upadhyaya’s stated judicial approach
- He said he sought to bring law, justice and compassion together
