Retiring MP High Court Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh to donate ₹1.01 crore GPF savings to PM CARES Fund

Retiring Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh pledged to donate his entire General Provident Fund (GPF) savings, estimated at ₹1.01 crore, to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund after his retirement..At his farewell function on September 17, Justice Singh also revealed that he and his wife Shivati Indra Singh have pledged to donate their bodies to a medical college after their deaths for scientific purposes.The announcement came as Justice Singh reflected on his 37 years of service, the people who shaped his career and the principles he carried with him as a judge. .Reflecting on his retirement, Justice Singh conveyed he intended to continue working in a different capacity.“After retirement today, I will begin a new chapter in my life, and I will always continue to work on a new platform. I believe that we serve the Lord not only by worshipping Him, but also by taking care of all things big and small God has created on this earth,” said Justice Singh.Explaining his decision to donate his retirement savings, Justice Singh said,“As per office calculation, I will be receiving about 1 crore 1 lakh from my GPF account, which I pledge before you all to donate the entire amount as soon as I receive for the nation building in Prime Minister CARES fund. And this step is the beginning and not the end.”He also noted that the decision to donate his body was similarly rooted in a desire to contribute to society even after his death.“To give to this society on the principle that अपने लिए जिये तो कह जिये (If one lives only for oneself, can one really say that one has lived?), my wife and I have pledged and registered two days before to the medical college after our death, our bodies, so that it can be used for scientific purpose,” said Justice Singh..He credited his wife with suggesting both the commitments, saying,“I can say about her that every point of time, she supported me wholeheartedly. It was actually her idea to place our bodies after death and donate my entire GPF account in PM Cares Fund.”.Justice Singh's farewell address was as much a reflection on his journey as it was a goodbye.He recalled losing his mother when he was about six months old and being brought up by his maternal uncle and aunt. He said the values imparted by them, along with the guidance he received from senior judges during his early years in the judiciary, had shaped his approach to life and judging.He looked back at his maternal aunt teaching him that success could not be achieved through shortcuts.“She always said that there is no shortcut to success in life. Any success which is attained without hard work and sincere effort does not last long,” recalled Justice Singh..Justice Singh also recalled the advice of former district judge Justice NK Jain when he was posted as a civil judge in Bhopal.“A judge should not succumb to criticism. If there is any pressure on your pen, meaning that either you are angry with a party or have some sort of affection for a party, then don't deal with the case,” quoted Justice Singh..He also spoke about the judiciary's expansion of virtual hearings and online legal services, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, saying these initiatives had helped courts reach people unable to approach them physically.He went on to thank the judges, lawyers, registry officials, judicial officers and staff members with whom he had worked over the course of his career.