“If you cry, I will cry”: Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju to daughter during Delhi High Court farewell speech

The Delhi High Court was witness to emotional scenes on Monday when Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju was reduced to tears as she watched her daughter weep during her farewell speech.

While she was thanking her mother and her daughter for their support throughout her career, Justice Ganju spotted her daughter crying. Mid-way through her speech, she smiled to assuage her daughter and said,

“If you cry, I will cry.”

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the transfers of Delhi High Court Justices Ganju and Arun Monga in August this year. The Central government on October 14 notified the transfer of the judges to the High Courts of Karnataka and Rajasthan respectively.

The transfer of Justice Ganju had faced strong opposition from members of the Bar. The DHCBA, DHCBA women lawyers, as well as several other members of the Bar had written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai voicing their opposition to Justice Ganju's transfer.

In her speech, Justice Ganju stated that given the sudden turn of events, her entire family was not able to attend the farewell.

She mentioned that many times, working late into the night had invited criticism.

“I am conscious that working late into the night or over weekends has at times invited criticism or misunderstanding, yet I have never regarded diligence as a fault. The demands of justice do not always keep to the clock and our foremost duty must remain to the nation and to the litigants who seek relief from us. Personal comfort or even the prospect of disapproval cannot outweigh the obligation we owe to the cause of justice,” she stated. 

Justice Ganju stated that United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg inspired her “to fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

She went on to say that the Delhi High Court shaped her understanding of the law and justice. 

“Truly, this Court has taught me all that I know about law, about fairness, about the profound responsibility. It has been my greatest teacher. My years here have been amongst the most fulfilling of my judicial journey - a journey I hope to continue, serving the cause of justice in the same spirit and with the same devotion that this Court embodies. Thank you all for your affection and goodwill.”

She thanked the court staff, registrars, registry officers, stenographers and law researchers as she bid farewell.