"A perfect gentleman judge", Kerala HC bids farewell to Justice CK Abdul Rehim in live-streamed ceremony amid COVID-19 Lockdown

The Kerala High Court on Thursday bid farewell to Justice CK Abdul Rehim and a reference that was live-streamed on the Kerala High Court's Youtube channel, given the COVID-19 Lockdown. Justice Rehim is due to retire on May 2, 2020..Durng his address, Advocate General Sudhakara Prasad paid tribute to Justice Rehim for "his intellectual sharpness", which the AG remarked "was only matched his deep learning and wider vision". .He spoke of how the retiring judge was known for well-versed knowledge in all branches of law. AG Prasad further added that the High Court is losing one of its most erudite and "perfect gentleman" judges..Kerala High Court Chief Justice S Manikumar observed that the Judgments rendered by Justice Rehim bear testimony to his compassion for litigants and the humanitarian approach adopted by him, even while dealing with extremely complicated matters. .Among other examples, Chief Justice Manikumar recalled a judgment passed by a Bench headed by Justice Rehim, wherein it was held that that live-in relationship between same-sex members does not offend any law and the relationship cannot be ground for keeping one of the partners in illegal confinement..Adding on, CJ Manikumar remarked, "Brother Justice Abdul Rehim will no longer be on the Bench of this Court. But I am sure that his judicial service will continue to contribute in future in some other place.".Justice CK Abdul Rehim commenced his reply by expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Justice, High Court judges and the Court Registry for taking the effort to conduct the farewell reference, at least in a restricted manner amid the lockdown and making it available online for the viewers. .During his address, Justice Rehim emphasised that persons associated with the justice system - lawyers, judges, court clerks and others - have higher social obligations. "It is time that we are more prepared to shoulder those obligations and to be proactive with more commitment", he said..He went on to state that sometimes, the proactiveness of the judiciary is criticised as one transgressing its own limits. However, he added that Article 39A of the Constitution provides the shield. .In this regard, he commented that such a proactive approach may be required, and conventional boundries may be transgressed, to ensure that there is no denial of equal justice. This is especially so when there are shortfalls on the part of the executive, which in turn results in a denial of an opportunity to secure justice for the downtrodden and the marginalised, Justice Rehim observed..That being said, Justice Rehim also added that the Executive's priorities in providing welfare measures to society have gained more realistic dimensions in recent times. ."The fight against COVID-19 illustrates such dutiful and excellent service from the bureaucracy at least from those in the health care sector", it was observed..On a concluding note, Justice Rehim sincerely expressed hope the judicial system will become more aware about its obligations and continue its tireless efforts to accomplish its cherished goals under the Constitution.