New Delhi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday paid glowing tributes to Justice Sanjay Karol on his last day in office, describing him as a judge whose career was marked by “seriousness towards the law, sensitivity towards people and an unshakeable regard for the office he serves”.
Heading a ceremonial bench comprising Justices Karol, Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, the CJI referred to his long professional association with the retiring judge, recalling that he had known him first as a member of the Bar, later as a fellow advocate general, then as a colleague in Himachal Pradesh and finally as a fellow judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Karol, as the chief justice of the Tripura High Court, brought pendency down from over 60,000 cases to under 27,000 within 10 months through disciplined listing, sustained docket attention, and by taking on some of the heaviest boards himself, the CJI said. His tenure at the Patna High Court presented a different set of challenges, the CJI said, noting that Justice Karol led one of the country’s most heavily burdened high courts for more than three years, including a substantial period under the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his farewell address, Justice Karol reflected on four decades in courtrooms first as an advocate and for the last 19 years, as a judge.
Mehta described Justice Karol as an empathetic judge who, even while dismissing a case or delivering an adverse verdict, would look at the person on the losing side and express his regret. Mehta also highlighted Justice Karol’s practice of appointing young lawyers as amici curiae, saying that he had encouraged hundreds of young students and lawyers by giving them opportunities to assist the court.
SCBA President Rai said Justice Karol would be remembered not only as a judge of law but as “a judge with heart”, particularly for preserving dignity and giving confidence to those appearing before the court.
