Thread by @barandbench

The Supreme Court Bar Association holds the farewell function in honour of Justice L Nageswara Rao who had his last working as Supreme Court judge today before the top court closed for vacations.

Justice Rao officially retires on June 7, 2022

#JusticeLNageswaraRao #SCBA

Sr Adv Pradeep Rai: Justice Rao has a multi faceted personality. Apart from being a good cricketer, He acted in many films as a police inspector. He was there even in serials. He acted in the movie "Kanoon Apna Apna" in which he acted with Kader Khan and Sanjay Dutt

Rai: Though I wanted to dig out more, Justice Rao' staff say we cannot dig more than this. Draupadi in Mahabharat prayed for a husband who was Humble, Good looking, handsome, & married 5 Pandavas. Madam (to Justice Rao’s wife) you prayed the same and you got Justice Rao.

Rai: Justice Rao played great role in having our chambers, we wish the keys are given to us before your tenure gets over.

Rai: Justice Rao had ruled that even lawyers can be considered for tribunal appointments. Justice Rao likes Yoga and he likes many other things which we can mention over dinner.

AG KK Venugopal: earlier when a senior lawyer accepted judgeship of a high court he would invariably say yes and did not think of the wealth he can earn by continuing as a lawyer or houses that could be built.

AG: great credit to sr lawyers of SC did not hesitate to say yes when offered judgeship. But some senior lawyers has turned it down since they did not want to sacrifice their financial earnings. Justice Rao is a Ranji player and cricketer par excellence

AG: Justice Rao was also a film actor in his young age. I just learnt it now. !

AG: I always knew as a lawyer in him I had the most formidable opponent. #JusticeLNageswaraRao

AG: Justice Rao has been part of 555 benches and delivered over 160 judgments.

SCBA President Vikas Singh: Let me tell you what happened. The kind of reception Justice Nageswara Rao got in Ladies Bar room today is not something has been seen ever. They were all ecstatic and this kind of popularity amongst lady members would make other judges very envious

Singh: the bar association feels that we should pass a resolution that judges who have practiced in this court should be allowed to practice again needless what amendments were needed. We pass this resolution and i know he misses all of this

Singh: I have tried acting in school I know how it is difficult it is. If he has done that too then it is commendable.

Singh: Justice Rao had asked his son-in-law and others to shift their practice to the High Court after he was elevated as a judge.

CJI: Today is an emotional day as I am losing a best friend and an advisor. We both were born in June. I was also born in Guntur and he was also born there. I knew him since he studied in law college.

CJI: He came to Delhi without any godfather. He started practice. He has come up on his own. His hardwork and capacity in intellectual arena made him a great lawyer.

CJI: Madras Bar Association was an important judgment by him. Not critiquing the Govt but the power of High court was taken away and we created Tribunal system and off late we see weakening of the systems, and that time he decided Madras Bar case

#tribunals #supremecourt

CJI: main force to structure tribunal system in this country which is a great contribution to tribunals in this country. #Tribunals

CJI: He granted bail to Azam Khan in an innovative way to protect the liberty of an individual
#azamkhan #supremecourt

CJI: under his leadership I am sure the International arbitration centre in Hyderabad will soar. I am sure he will find time for new adventures.

Justice L Nageswara Rao: I look at evergreen AG Venugopal who is 90 and I feel old at 60. So I feel i cam go on for another 25 years.

Justice Rao: I am floored seeing the sort of affection shown by all of you. when i thought of coming to Delhi there was opposition from family and friends. But unless you take up a challenge you will not succeed.

Justice Rao: when I came to this court, i thought I made the last journey and thought I will go away from here. But after practicing here I thought I will call it off at 60 or 65 and then go to Hyderabad.

Rao J,: When I was offered judgeship, I stood at SC verandahs and thought how can i leave it. I withdrew my acceptance as a judge since I was also funding education of a lot of youngsters. I was arguing before Justice Dave and the then CJI TS Thakur called & asked me to accept

Justice Rao: you wanted to go away at 65 from this court, so CJI TS Thakur told me as a judge you can go away from this court at 65. this profession has given me everything. i loved being a lawyer. i keep saying I miss being on other side

Justice Rao: my strength is the bar. I know almost all of you. I worked with most of you. I have appeared with so many of you.

Rao J.: I was in theatre when in college. My cousin was a director and thereby a short role in movie. Thats it. i did not want to become an actor. Lawyers act in court and judges also do. When there is heat we try to bring truce between the lawyers. Acting is a part of profession

Justice Rao: even when I work, IPL matches keeps playing on TV. I play golf with Jayant Bhushan and other lawyers. So I try to stay active.

Justice Rao: this cricket match was not fixed. I did not know 11 judges were there for the match. CJI persuaded the other judges. Justice Sundaresh played a key role. Bar association beware from next year Justice Sundresh is there. The cup is bigger than the world cup !

Justice Rao: I have got correct breaks. I am a man of average intelligence and I dont claim to be having super intelligence but I make it up by working extra hours.

Justice Rao: judges who come here from HCs get a time of 4 to 5 years as judge here. Judges who have not seen how SC functions, it takes them 2 years to understand and by that time you retire and then time to contribute to march of law is a short period.

Justice Rao: Judging is a different area and to get used to it takes at least 3 to 4 years. My suggestion is judges who come to SC should have minimum 7 to 8 years if not 10 years as a judgeship tenure. By the time I am comfortable with the court, I am gone !

Justice Rao: especially judges handle such important cases. Anyone at decision making authority can take such steps.