Judge Gautam Patel: Hc breaks tradition, has full court hearing for retiring Judge Patel | Mumbai News

Mumbai: An emotional judge Gautam Patel received an unprecedented farewell on his last day at the Bombay High Court. HC kept a full reference to the outgoing judge, who turns 62 years, the retirement age, on Friday. “It’s an honor,” Judge Patel said, of the new tradition just established in the court’s historic, soaring central court. hall. He reminded all present how unique the heritage building is and urged them to “take a stone here and lay it as the foundation stone” for a proposed new complex. Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and others praised him as a judge, lawyer, and an individual. They remembered his unique, scholarly, and readable style of writing judgments; his sense of equality and humor; and his ability to do justice to the less fortunate. “We can never see for ourselves how we contribute,” Justice Patel said, adding “time or someone else will judge.” Solicitor General Biren Saraf said, almost on behalf of the packed audience, that he would miss how Justice Patel “conducted his court hearing with the courage of his convictions, at times asserting the power and might of the judiciary, and at other times the softer side.” He admonished the government without mincing words, but also urged them to do what is right for justice. ASG Devang Vyas agreed. BBA president Nitin Thakkar said in 2019 that Justice Patel, who showed “courage, intellectual honesty and humility”, recalled one of his orders and said it was wrong. Uday Warunjikar expressed grief on behalf of 2.4 lakh state council members, while BILS chief Farzana Behramkamdin said that as a GLC student, he was also tech-savvy. AAWI chief Prashant Relekar said Justice Patel’s unwavering commitment and fair judgment were always evident. During his long term in office, the judge’s chamber faced two beautiful trees. Justices Patel and Girish Kulkarni lingered and looked at the jumbled roots, scurrying squirrels and nests, and reminded him of the Bar and Bench, their interplay in the cause of justice. He rose and made a final bow before the hallowed courtroom.

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