Thread by @barandbench

Welcoming ceremony for newly appointed Chief Justice of the #MadrasHighCourt, Justice Sanjib Banerjee will begin shortly.

Chief Justice Banerjee took oath earlier this morning in a ceremony that was live-streamed from the Raj Bhavan.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan is rendering the welcome address.

The welcoming ceremony is being live-streamed from the #MadrasHighCourt on YouTube:

AG Narayan: Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee will be the 42nd Chief Justice of this Court...Some of the most eminent judges in India have adorned the Bench of this Court. The first Indian anywhere in India to be made a High Court Judge was Justice T Muthuswamy Iyer

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AG Narayan: It is a matter of great pride for us in the Bar that after India became a republic, 3 of the 13 Attorneys General for India have been from this Court.

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AG Narayan: CJ Banerjee (during his years of legal practice) has appeared in most of the High Courts in the country including in Delhi, Bombay, Allahabad, Patna, Jharkhand, Guwahati, Orissa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

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AG Narayan: Chief Justice Banerjee has delivered judgments on a wide variety of subjects. These judgments reflect a strong sense of social justice and a deep sense of Constitutional values.

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AG Narayan refers to a Judgement by CJ Banerjee while sitting on the Calcutta High Court Bench which dealt with a challenge to grants made to Durga Puja committees on the ground that the State could not support any religion since it is secular.

AG Narayan recalls that CJ Banerjee observed that since Durga puja is the biggest festival in the State, irrespective of the festival being connected to a religious occasion, the festivities can be the springboard for promoting socially relevant programmes

... and that there may not be any religious flavour to such secular programmes being pursued

AG Narayan refers to Calcutta HC Judgment by a CJ Banerjee led Bench where Court directed that State should ensure that there is no use of fireworks used for Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations. Only wax or oil-based diyas were directed to be used in the greater public interest

AG Narayan recounts that the order was made applicable to other celebrations as well, including for the celebrations to mark Guru Nanak's birthday and the Chhath Puja.

AG Narayan concludes his welcome address by congratulating CJ Sanjib Banerjee on his assumption of office and wishing him a successful tenure.

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Chairman of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry welcomes Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee: The Judiciary has got a New Year's gift by the appointment of the Chief Justice to lead the judiciary with other judges of the Madras High Court

Bar Council Chairman PS Amalraj speaks of the various initiatives recently undertaken for the benefit of lawyers, including the introduction of a monthly stipend for young lawyers.

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Madras High Court Advocates Association President, G Mohanakrishnan in his welcome address requests CJ Sanjib Banerjee to open up courts for physical hearing, observing that virtual courts are not a substitute. He also requests for the opening of law chambers.

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Madras Bar Association President, ARL Sundaresan renders his welcome address: We are glad that the 42nd Chief Justice of the #MadrasHighCourt has come from another chartered High Court, namely the Calcutta High Court.

Sundaresan concludes his address by assuring the fullest cooperation of the Bar to CJ Banerjee.

He adds that the #MadrasHighCourt has been a launching pad for many Judges to eventually become elevated to SC

Sundaresan: Keeping your Lordship's age the sprinter speed your Lordship has shown till now, we are sure that your Lordship will be elevated to the Supreme Court

Sundaresan: We all believe in the law of averages. Definitely after two misses in such elevation (to the Supreme Court) from here, definitely the third, that is your Lordship's elevation will be a success.

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Women Lawyers' Association President Louisal Ramesh welcomes Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee with words from the Thirukkural

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President of the Law Association in his welcome address assures Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee the fullest cooperation from the Bar.

CJ Sanjib Banerjee makes his reply: Vanakkam. I bring greetings from the abode of Tagore to the land of Thiruvalluvar. From probably the only language that has given birth to a nation-State to probably the oldest tongue that is spoken by millions with great pride.

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CJ Banerjee: I am honoured to be here as the first among equals and will strive to uphold the majesty and dignity of the high office and live up to the good traditions imbibed over the years and eschew following the few bad habits that may have developed.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: A Chief Justice is first a Judge and only then a Chief.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: I hope I am heard less and read more often, that I am effective without being obtrusive and that I make every endeavour to fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: Only a few lucky people find the deep satisfaction and sense of fulfilment and purpose born from the 4 elements - passion, excellence, serving the greater good and meeting financial needs. The Japanese call it "Ikigai..."

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: I am privileged to have found by "Ikigai" in my profession and calling.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: I am also privileged to have been nurtured in a State that has a deep love of learning, a long legacy of intellectual curiosity and a rich history of literature, art, architecture. Today I feel I have come to another home, a land with equally strong traditions

CJ Sanjib Banerjee: 15 years ago, I took an oath to serve the Constitution with all sincerity and with all my passion, knowledge and experience. Today I take the same oath.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee: I promise to uphold the Constitution and ensure that the Constitutional promise reaches to the lowest in the country and the State.

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CJ Sanjib Banerjee concludes his address: I am indebted to you for the kind words you have used. Without the cooperation of the Bar, the Bench cannot function. Tamil Nadu is my State and I am a servant of the State from now on ... Nandri, Jaihind.

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