CJI Dipak Misra highlights importance of judiciary in his farewell speech, says 'Justice must be insulated from disruptive actors'

Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI), Dipak Misra held the court for the last time on Monday, in the presence of his successor Justice Ranjan Gogoi. In his last address to the topmost court of the country, the departing CJI spoke on an array of things, during which he also discussed the role of Indian judiciary in strengthening the democracy in the country. 

Dipak Misra termed the Indian judiciary as the ‘most robust institution’ in the world, in his farewell speech. 

"Our judiciary has been strongest judiciary in the world having capability to handle such mind-boggling number of cases. Independence of judiciary stands erect and shall continue to stand erect. The Supreme Court stands supreme. Any kind of craftsmanship cannot stir away the judicial independence,” he said.

Read: Watch: CJI Dipak Misra Gives A Robust Farewell Speech, Says 'tears Of A Poor Man Are Equal To The Tears Of A Rich Man'

He went onto discuss the importance of justice, stating it should not tilt towards one side.

“Justice must have a human face and human approach. There are various factors that will attempt to divide us. Justice must be insulated from disruptive actors. Scales of justice must be balanced. It should not tilt towards one side owing to someone’s aggressive views. The tears of a poor man are equal to the tears of a rich man. For me, tears are pearls, I have to collect them with equity, justice and my perception. A particular learning can never guide the force of justice,” CJI Misra added.

Read: Dipak Misra Farewell: Quoting Shakespeare, CJI-Designate Ranjan Gogoi Says, ‘Parting Is A Sweet Sorrow Indeed Chief Justice, But We Hope To Have You Around’

Further, he reminisced the time when he was the judge and spoke about how he never disconnected himself from the judicial system of the country.

"In my whole career as a judge, I never disassociated myself from the lady of equity. Our judiciary is a strong institution standing firm in the face of assaults", he added. 

While the CJI said that 'justice should be balanced', he had been targeted by the certain activists and leaders for his controversial verdicts in the recent past. When the Supreme Court recently refused to interfere in the arrest of the five accused activists in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case, former additional solicitor general Indira Jaising mounted a scathing attack on him, saying that CJI “dents his own legacy”.

Read: Urban Naxals Case | Ex Legal Officer In Congress Government, Indira Jaising, Launches Open Attack On CJI Dipak Misra

During his tenure as the CJI, Dipak Misra headed an interesting combination of benches, ruling out some of the most historical verdicts recently. From his verdicts on the Aadhar and Section 377 to his verdicts in the judgments in the Bhima-Koregaon violence case, CJI Misra has been a ‘remarkable judge’, according to his succeeding CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

Talking about his professional career, Dipak Misra has been in the shoes of the chief justice of Patna High Court and Delhi High Court. Before becoming the 45th Chief Justice of India on August 28, 2017, he had been a judge of the apex court since October 2011. 

Now, Ranjan Gogoi, the former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court will be sworn in as the next CJI on October 3, a day after Justice Misra's tenure ends.