Supreme Court judge Justice Indira Banerjee demitted office on Friday after a tenure of little over 4 years at the top court. .The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) today organized a farewell function for her which was attended by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, other Supreme Court judges, Attorney General KK Venugopal and SCBA President Vikas Singh among others.In her farewell speech, Justice Banerjee recounted her entry to legal profession and how her father was opposed to the same. "My father was opposed to me joining legal profession. He said I didn't work hard and said law is a jealous mistress and that I have to work very hard. That made me take up the profession," she said.She also reminisced her time with her senior at the bar and his wife, Justice Ruma Pal."Justice Pal was very encouraging. There were ups and there were downs like for days you don't get work. What is important in this profession is one should not give up or feel discouraged. If you put in the effort, work does come," she said. Interestingly, she also spoke about retiring after 20.5 years at the bench."I am very happy to retire since I will be free after 20.5 years. When I had time, I had no money and when I earned I had no time. Now is the time when I will have time and money since I will get my pension," she said. She also had a word of advice for young lawyers."Junior lawyers should be professional, fully ready and help in timely delivery of quality justice.".CJI UU Lalit had words of praise for Justice Banerjee. "People say last day of judge on ceremonial bench should be short. So I asked her how many matters to place, she said "entire board". We went through the entire board and that is the commitment even on the last day that the judge has shown. Goodbye Sister Banerjee," said CJI Lalit..Similar sentiments were echoed by Attorney General KK Venugopal."Justice Banerjee has been an inspiration for younger women lawyers. She has a tremendous work ethic and compassion. You look at IBC, criminal law or anything, there is a verdict by her. She has delivered 98 judgments and been a party to 14 Constitution benches," the AG said .SCBA President Vikas Singh spoke about the restraint she exercised while on the bench. "Justice Banerjee had faced criticism after she decided a political matter. A lawyer had urged her to issue contempt. Justice Banerjee declined saying she was answering her call of duty and the almighty," he said..Justice Indira Banerjee enrolled as a lawyer in 1985 and practiced before the Calcutta High Court.She was appointed a judge of the Calcutta High Court on February 5, 2002 and was transferred to the Delhi High Court on August 8, 2016. She was made the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on April 5, 2017.She was elevated to the Supreme Court on August 7, 2018. She was eighth woman to serve at the Supreme Court.With her retirement, the number of woman judges on the bench has dropped to three.
Supreme Court judge Justice Indira Banerjee demitted office on Friday after a tenure of little over 4 years at the top court. .The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) today organized a farewell function for her which was attended by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, other Supreme Court judges, Attorney General KK Venugopal and SCBA President Vikas Singh among others.In her farewell speech, Justice Banerjee recounted her entry to legal profession and how her father was opposed to the same. "My father was opposed to me joining legal profession. He said I didn't work hard and said law is a jealous mistress and that I have to work very hard. That made me take up the profession," she said.She also reminisced her time with her senior at the bar and his wife, Justice Ruma Pal."Justice Pal was very encouraging. There were ups and there were downs like for days you don't get work. What is important in this profession is one should not give up or feel discouraged. If you put in the effort, work does come," she said. Interestingly, she also spoke about retiring after 20.5 years at the bench."I am very happy to retire since I will be free after 20.5 years. When I had time, I had no money and when I earned I had no time. Now is the time when I will have time and money since I will get my pension," she said. She also had a word of advice for young lawyers."Junior lawyers should be professional, fully ready and help in timely delivery of quality justice.".CJI UU Lalit had words of praise for Justice Banerjee. "People say last day of judge on ceremonial bench should be short. So I asked her how many matters to place, she said "entire board". We went through the entire board and that is the commitment even on the last day that the judge has shown. Goodbye Sister Banerjee," said CJI Lalit..Similar sentiments were echoed by Attorney General KK Venugopal."Justice Banerjee has been an inspiration for younger women lawyers. She has a tremendous work ethic and compassion. You look at IBC, criminal law or anything, there is a verdict by her. She has delivered 98 judgments and been a party to 14 Constitution benches," the AG said .SCBA President Vikas Singh spoke about the restraint she exercised while on the bench. "Justice Banerjee had faced criticism after she decided a political matter. A lawyer had urged her to issue contempt. Justice Banerjee declined saying she was answering her call of duty and the almighty," he said..Justice Indira Banerjee enrolled as a lawyer in 1985 and practiced before the Calcutta High Court.She was appointed a judge of the Calcutta High Court on February 5, 2002 and was transferred to the Delhi High Court on August 8, 2016. She was made the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on April 5, 2017.She was elevated to the Supreme Court on August 7, 2018. She was eighth woman to serve at the Supreme Court.With her retirement, the number of woman judges on the bench has dropped to three.
