Collegium resolution recommending my elevation makes for happy reading, but is also a wake-up call: Justice KV Viswanathan

The Supreme Court's Justice KV Viswanathan on Tuesday spoke of how his recent appointment to the top court directly from the Bar has still not sunk in..In a speech delivered yesterday, the judge stated that any thoughts of actually making it to the bench were far from his mind. He thanked former Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Rohinton Nariman for making him believe he would make a ‘reasonably good' judge.”It has still not sunk in that I am a judge, to be honest I am only aware of it when protocol hovers around me and I realise I have to do my work carefully,“ Justice Viswanathan said.In lighter vein, he discussed the Supreme Court Collegium resolution recommending his appointment, saying,“The gracious words of the Collegium resolution makes for very happy reading and I would be lying if I said I do not read it every once in a while. But it is also proving to be a not-so-gentle wake up call every morning.”.Justice Viswanathan was speaking at a function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to felicitate Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and himself in view of their elevation to the apex court..He thanked the SCBA for hosting the event, stating,“I am totally overwhelmed by the reception to even my appointment. This function has given me an opportunity to come back to the Bar.”.He quipped his having been an elected member of the SCBA executive committee in 1995 was not a good enough reason for him to recuse from the event. He added that the top court‘s Bar represents the best of the country’s diversity as people from all over irrespective of region, State, caste practice here..The former senior counsel narrated a story of how he got a chance to work with Senior Advocate and former Attorney General KK Venugopal thanks to a rare ILR Calcutta report found in the SCBA library, based on which he had prepared a note that ultimately led to a judgment. Venugopal had been impressed by the note, he mentioned..Addressing Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who was also present at the event, he narrated a tale of how in a school assembly he had once answered a question on who the CJI was at the time, to applause. The CJI at that time was Justice YV Chandrachud, the present CJI’s father.“Little did I know that I would be sworn in by Dr Justice DY Chandrachud. (Joining the bench then),” he said..Justice Viswanathan added that it is the duty of every member of the Bar to encourage junior counsel even if they are not part of their chambers.In conclusion he said,“I will not do anything to let the Collegium down, and will do my best to the keep the flag of the Supreme Court flying high.”.Quick elevation of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra, KV Viswanathan to Supreme Court proof that Collegium active, vibrant: CJI DY Chandrachud