No finer judge than Justice Indu Malhotra, says CJI in farewell speech

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 12

Members of Bar and Bench on Friday showered praise on Justice Indu Malhotra, who demits office as a judge of the Supreme Court office on Saturday. “Don’t know any finer judge than Justice Indu Malhotra,” Chief Justice SA Bobde said as she shared the Bench with him for the final time on her last working day.

As the CJI said he did not wish to say anything about her judicial acumen as her judgments were filled with knowledge, Justice Malhotra was choked with emotions.

Justice Malhotra, who delivered her famous dissenting verdict in the Sabarimala Temple entry case, said though she had a tenure of less than three years, she was leaving the office with a great sense of satisfaction. “I am very blessed to be a part of the institution…I leave this court with a sense of fulfilment,” Justice Malhotra said and thanked the CJI and the members of the Bar for their support.

“Women will move forward when distinction between male and female judges no longer exists,” she later said at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association. Justice RF Nariman said he had memorable experiences interacting with Justice Malhotra as a lawyer and as a judge. “She is a master of arbitration laws along with other laws, and her book is an absolute delight,” Justice Nariman added.