Senior lawyers of the Supreme Court on Friday gathered in courtroom 1 to pay their respects to Justice Bela Trivedi on her last working day as a judge. .Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih who sat on the ceremonial bench with Justice Trivedi commended the judge for her work ethic and legal knowledge."I have seen her personally when her father was ailing. She used to go Ahmedabad in the weekends and come back and attend court in Monday morning," CJI Gavai said.In an apparent reference to critics of Justice Trivedi's stern handling of cases, the CJI said that the presence of so many members of the Bar, including leaders of Bar bodies, shows the respect that she continues to garner in the legal community..Addressing the ceremonial bench, Solicitor General of India (SG) Tushar Mehta and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who are often seen at loggerheads in court, agreed on one thing - Justice Trivedi never bowed to public opinion."Our Ladyship has never moulded the relief to suit popular sentiment. This needs courage of conviction and courage to displease people. We have lost many matters here and in Gujarat but the respect remains. Our respect and love for judge is not contingent upon the orders passed. In every court, some individuals feel that their word should be the last word but in your court it was always the last word of law," SG Mehta said.."I endorse what the learned Solicitor General said. I do not think any judge of this Court bows down to popular sentiment and if they do, then it is totally unacceptable. Your Ladyship has drawn the lines and whenever you granted relief, you did it on the right side of justice," Sibal said..Attorney General for India (AG) R Venkataramani pointed out that Justice Trivedi had also served on the Executive side as Law Secretary."That is a rare combination. Firmness is a part of an institutional premise," Venkataramani said.."Wherever the hammer fell, it fell evenly," added Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra..Those present in Court further acknowledged the importance of having more women on the Bench of the top court.Sibal pointed out that Justice Trivedi was only the tenth woman judge in the Court's 75 year history. "Like all women judges, you too have a tough mind with gentleness. More women judges will make this court very different", added AG Venkataramani. .The courtroom was also filled with women lawyers, many of whom addressed the ceremonial bench. Senior Advocate Rachana Srivastava lauded Justice Trivedi for being an inspiration. "You stood by what you thought was correct. Though you have been strict but when we requested you did accede. Presence of so many ladies show that you are an inspiration for us. Please continue to inspire us," Srivastava said. Senior Advocate Pinky Anand too highlighted the impact of having women on the Bench. "The narrative that your ladyship has done for the Court, and for the ladies, in general ... this section appreciates the narrative change that your ladyship has done - from 'man to woman' to 'man with woman' - that we think, is looking forward," she observed. "All of us are inspired by your hard work, your courage, your grit. The way I see it, there is no male or woman judge when you sit there. That showed when you held on to the first principles. Thank you for being there, for inspiring us and we all wish you a very, happy, healthy life ahead," Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave said. Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora lauded Justice Trivedi for standing up for her convictions and beliefs, observing that it takes a lot of courage to do so. "There is nothing like a male judge or female judge in this Court. We do not come here to take advantage because we are women; we come as equals. You established that, that there is no distinction here, we come here for our merits, treated at par with all our colleagues," she added. Senior Advocates Vibha Datta Makhija and V Mohana joined in thanking Justice Trivedi for her contributions."You have always conducted court without fear or favour," observed Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani. ASG Aishwarya Bhati added,"I want to pay my salute to a very firm, fearless, honest judge of this court, who was very kind to me in my time of grief told me to stand up and keep working. I am so grateful, the nation is indebted to you.".Closing out the ceremonial bench proceedings, a visibly emotional Justice Trivedi said that she has always spoken through her judgments and with a view to uphold the integrity of the judiciary. "In these 30 years I have always spoken through my judgments and I have always pronounced the operative part in court. This will be my last working day. I have taken on many responsibilities.. I have always worked based on my inner conscience. I have been harsh but the paramount consideration always has been the institution and nothing else... I am grateful to have been a part of this journey and this institution," Justice Trivedi said. .[Watch Ceremonial Bench Farewell].[Read Live Coverage]
