Judgeship a relay race, not a personal destination: Kerala HC Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar retires

The Kerala High Court on Friday held a full-court reference in honour of retiring Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, marking the end of a judicial career of over three decades and his stint as the 39th Chief Justice of the Court.

Delivering his farewell address, Justice Jamdar fondly reflected on his time in Kerala, describing it as professionally fulfilling and personally enriching.

"I feel privileged to be part of this great institution," Justice Jamdar said.

He acknowledged the professionalism displayed by the lawyers of the Kerala Bar in assisting the judiciary and appreciated how justice was administered at the Kerala High Court.

"Judgments consistently uphold equality secularism and justice. The temperament of judges is marked with humility learning and balance ... The Kerala Bar brings an intellectual rigour and clarity and has a deep respect for traditions. Arguments are not confined to legal technicalities alone but often engaging in larger questions affecting the society," he observed.

Praising Kerala's rich traditions, inclusiveness and communal harmony, Justice Jamdar said that the State had left a deep impression on him.

Calling the dispensation of justice a spiritual journey, Justice Jamdar further stated that judges are defined not by their offices or names but by the choices they make, often in solitude.

He went on to observe that judgeship is like a relay race.

"As I take leave of this office, I do so with a sense of fulfilment, for a judgeship is not an individual event nor a personal destination, it is akin to a relay race. Each of us runs our lap to the best of our ability and passes the baton forward. I have completed my lap putting in as much as effort I could, now I pass on the baton confident that it is in safe and capable hands," he said.

The full-court farewell reference was attended by judges of the High Court, Kerala's Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K and President of the Kerala High Court Advocates' Association (KHCAA) Peeyus A Kottam, among others.

Addressing the gathering Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup K described Chief Justice Jamdar's tenure as one, marked by the dispensation of justice that was consistently fair, firm and fearless, untainted by prejudice and indifference.

KHCAA president Peeyus A Kottam highlighted Chief Justice Jamdar's unwavering commitment to constitutional values and his efforts to reform judicial administration. In this regard, reference was made to Chief Justice Jamdar's contributions to improving the infrastructure and administration of the courts, including the promotion of technological advancements.

Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar expressed that Chief Justice Jamdar will be missed by the judges at the High Court.

"We will miss you, Chief. On this day when you take your final bow before this august gathering, allow me, on behalf of my brother and sister judges, to wish you the very best in the next phase of your life... To the jurist, the well-wisher and affectionate friend to the people of Kerala, I bid a warm adieu," Justice Nambiar said.

Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar was born on 10 January, 1964, in Solapur, Maharashtra. He completed his schooling across various institutions in Maharashtra and later obtained degrees in Commerce and Law from Sydenham College and Government Law College in Mumbai.

Justice Jamdar began his legal practice in 1989, specialising in administrative and constitutional law and during his early years at the Bar, he represented several public bodies including Bar Council of India and even served as a standing counsel for the Bombay High Court administration and the Union of India.

On January 23, 2012, he was elevated as a judge of the Bombay High Court. During his tenure there, Justice Jamdar played an important role in the Court's technological transformation by being involved in the computerization movement.

In 2023, Justice Jamdar also served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, before he was elevated as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on September 26, 2024. He retires from office today.

Chief Justice Soumen Sen will take over as the next Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, following Justice Jamdar's retirement.

[Live Coverage]