Thread by @barandbench

Farewell for the 47th Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde by Supreme Court Bar Association to commence shortly.

Link for the virtual farewell:

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Guests are in attendance
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Advocate Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad welcomes guests and dignitaries: Today we bid virtual farewell to CJI SA Bobde. This court has not closed for a single day on account of the pandemic. Justice dispensation did not stop

Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai: We will miss CJI SA Bobde who was the CJI during the most difficult time of this court and worked relentlessly. He is sports enthusiast and a skilled player of table tennis and is a deep lover of literature
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Rai: Like Justice Gavai, he learnt Sanskrit at the age of 15. (Recites a Sanskrit shloka to describe CJI Bobde). He had appeared in all environmental law matters pro bono while he was in Nagpur.

Rai: CJI Bobde has been a part of momentous verdicts like Right of Privacy, Ram Janmabhoomi case and the one in which crackers were banned during Diwali. I wish him a happy birthday in advance.

Attorney General for India KK Venugopal: I had said that it is a very sad day that even before we spent enough time with a CJI there is a new CJI. That is why I have been suggesting that CJI should be there for 3 to 4 years.

AG: Father of Justice DY Chandrachud served for 7 years as CJI. Its in the hands of the collegium. That's why we lose good Chief Justice like SA Bobde.

AG: During COVID judges meet their foreign counterparts to represent India and exchange ideas but due to COVID, it could not happen. But CJI SA Bobde rose to the occasion and shut down the physical hearing and started virtual hearing

AG: two days ago a lawyer from Noida was searching a hospital bed and in this scenario the CJI had to ensure the health and welfare of lawyers. CJI had handled this by virtual hearing. We hope CJI Ramana gets rid of Vidyo app which is riddled with glitches

AG: CJI played a crucial role in release of prisoners and thereby saved them from contracting COVID, or in matters involving supply of mid day meals and also the suo motu order on covid issues. Article 224A was a dead letter but retired judges could be appointed for vacancy

AG: CJI has now directed that when vacancies are more than 20 percent then such ad hoc judges can be appointed. He also laid down a timeline within which High Courts have to make recommendations and within which centre has to reply.

AG: This will make a huge impact on justice delivery system. I hope he keeps in touch with us. The retirement age should be 75 instead of 65. We wish you Godspeed and health.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh: CJI Bobde hails from an illustrious family of lawyers. His grandfather Srinivas Ramachandra Bobde was also a lawyer and his father was the former Advocate General.His elder brother was a popular senior advocate of this court who met an untimely demise

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh: CJI has an affable towards young members of the bar. He always felt Bar is the mother of the bench. Bar & Bench is united in strong beliefs according to him. Our EC proposed to have a SC welfare stamp and CJI agreed to it

Singh: This will a secure stamp affixed on every vakalatnama. This will ensure money is wisely spent. Hope these things are finalised soon and we hope Justice Ramana will agree. CJI delivered judgment addressing inadequacies and inefficiencies in criminal trials

Singh: This will change the way the criminal justice system is dealt with in this country. Today we have more than 400 vacancies and his latest judgment targets it. had mentioned SCBA lawyers should be considered for elevation as judges in HC.CJI had in principle agreed in court

Singh: While he was in the initial stage of Ayodhya hearing he was of firm view that the problem could be resolved through mediation. He asked me if Shah Rukh Khan can be a part of the committee. I asked and he was more than willing. Unfortunately mediation did not work @iamsrk

Singh: But his willingness to resolve communal tension through mediation was noteworthy. I had told him once that I have an old Harley Davidson. He said he will take it and asked him If he pays for it. It was heavy but CJI said he is used to such bikes. That led to his injury

Singh: One of the latest orders of the CJI had resulted in the release of a cheetah into the wild. I hope CJI Bobde can maintain his fitness especially in the table tennis court.

CJI Designate Justice NV Ramana: Let me congratulate Senior Adv Vikas Singh and all new members of the newly elected team of SCBA. I was speaking with judges that bidding farewell is a difficult task.

Justice Ramana: CJI Bobde adopted the changing scenario and ensured justice dispensation is not prevented during the trying times and started ecourts.

Justice Ramana: Even during the pandemic CJI SA Bobde visited NALSA innumerable times to ensure the infrastructure is in place. I am sure he has a lot of projects lined up with his deep interest in sports, literature

Justice Ramana: We are going through trying times. Virus does not differentiate. Some strong measures may be needed in these difficult times. We have to wear a mask, wash hands and do not step out unless there is urgency. we can defeat the pandemic with discipline.

Justice Ramana: "hard times create strong men and strong men create good times" Our staff, judges and lawyers all have been a victim of this virus.

CJI SA Bobde: This morning i have gone through feeling when you have a lot to say and don't say. Firslty i thank you all for your words. The atmosphere is such today that nice words about ones surprises one. It is very heartening to hear some of the good things.

CJI: When i took over as the CJI i did not understand the complexity of the task It takes some time to understand the complexities and there is no way around them. litigation here is of dazzling variety arguments are probably the best as the last court. bar is very capable

CJI: COVID required me as a CJI to learn new things about communication we decided video conference is the way ahead. e committee and registry itself managed to tide over and face the challenge..

CJI: i am proud to say having examined various supreme courts of the world we were among the best. we had the most number of working days this pandemic and worked all through. it was difficult to have a camera look over you and staring at a screen

CJI: we have got used to it and it is here to stay in certain cases. I have flagged certain intractable problems of virtual hearing about the new kind of inequality created.

CJI: i don't wish to dwell and inequality which was there has been augmented and access to justice has become access to technology

CJI: This is warning i would like to issue in adoption of artificial intelligence as I think its futile to ignore it. When computers were introduced and email started truth is when something like this starts catches on like wildfire. Post offices are closing down

CJI: i think AI is at same level and if we don't adopt it we will be at great disadvantage I thank Justice L Nageswara Rao for heading the AI committee and bringing it to this stage

CJI: We need to pay a lot of attention to communication and relationship of Bar & Bench. I do not wish to criticize anybody but attitude and mutual respect that is necessary for excellent functioning of judicial system is sometimes wanting in the narrative

CJI: i am not saying become a society which compliments each other. But this communication and respect will lead to save the life, liberty of the citizens, there is no need for a mutual admiration society but nonetheless we must work harmoniously and fulfills example of system

CJI: its possible that judge does not agree with you. its in human nature that everyone does not agree with everyone. i don't mean to lecture and I have had no problems except occasional issues of over enthusiastic argument

CJI: Having served in Bombay, MP and now Delhi , the relationship between Bar & bench will matter the most in independence of judiciary

CJI: To the members of the bar who are disheartened because of a pandemic. Don't lose hope things will change My heart always goes out to the young members of Bar. it is they who need the greatest degree of encouragement

CJI: What we also need to look into the future is how media interprets the relation between Bar & Bench. From tonight I will be free and I hope I will be able to stay in touch with you and leave no occasion to meet you. Jai Hind.

Advocate Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad reads the message of CJI to members of the bar.

Senior Adv Vikas Singh: we will all have virtual tea now.

Farewell ends.