Judiciary is the only temple in India which every citizen worships regardless of religion, caste, sex and place of birth, Justice B Veerappa of the Karnataka High Court said on May 31 during his farewell function.

The High Court judge emphasized that courts are temples of justice and like the other two organs in the country (legislature and executive), manned by human beings. 

Judiciary, however, is distinctly different from other organs and its function is divine, the judge stated.

Justice Veerappa was elevated as High Court judge on January 1, 2015. He retired on May 31.

In his farewell speech, the judge emphasised that Indian judiciary is considered as the last resort when all other options fail.

“It is the last stop of the people after every knock of all doors fail. People approach the judiciary as the last resort. It is the only temple worshipped by every citizen of this nation, regardless religion, caste, sex, place of birth,” the judge said.

He added that this was also because the institution enjoyed immense confidence from all citizens.

“Indian judiciary has by and large enjoyed immense public confidence. The greatest asset and strongest weapon in the armoury of judiciary, is the confidence it commands and the faith it inspires in the minds of the people in its capacity to do even under justice and keep the scale in balance in any dispute. Citizens have always considered the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of the rights and liberties,” the judge said.

Justice Veerappa also advised members of judiciary and legislature to curb the “menace of corruption” which he opined was “more dangerous than disease of cancer”. 

“It is a major obstacle to the growth of the country and the future generation. We the judges, stop of the entire judicial system, should pledge to eliminate corruption. We should become a role model to all other organs of the State. Thereby it is high time to both lawyers and judges to ensure calmness in the minds of the public and to protect the majesty of the esteemed institution” the judge said. 

At the farewell event, Chief Justice PB Varale of Karnataka High Court spoke about the tag ‘Tiger’ associated with Justice Veerappa. 

“Justice Veerappa was known for his fearlessness. Because of that he was so straightforward and he used to ‘roar’ in court, probably because of that that he earned the tag of ‘Tiger’,” the judge said in a lighter vein. 

He also recounted how Justice Veerappa, in his capacity as Chairman of Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, visited 26 government hospitals and 11 prisons to understand the grass root level reality and facilities which government was providing.