Never let idea of India be mutilated: Retired Justice Akil Kureshi receives SGS Award for Ethics in Legal Profession

The idea of India is characterized by unity in diversity and should be safeguarded, retired High Court judge Justice Akil Kureshi said on Sunday..Justice Kureshi recalled that while he was growing up, nationalism was still prevalent but eventually, an idea of India emerged where there was a modern, liberal and scientific outlook."In today's India, university in diversity is as important as unity. I will ask the students of law to never let this idea of India be mutilated," he said..He was receiving the 'SGS award for Ethics in the Legal Profession'. The SGS award was presented to Justice Kureshi in memory of legendary lawyer and former Advocate General of Tamil Nadu, S Govind Swaminadhan..Justice Kureshi shared that when he became a judge, he promised himself to prioritise ethics and independence."When I became a judge, I made myself a promise to conduct myself in such a way that once I demit office, even if people didn't say, 'He was a great judge,' they should say, 'He was an ethical and independent judge,'" he said. .Further, Justice Kureshi addressed areas in the judiciary that demand improvement. Specifically, he referred to the Collegium system and why revealing reasons for rejecting a candidate's elevation might not augur well for such a candidate. "But I have always been against this. Imagine, how a lawyer will feel continuing his practice after these reasons about him are made public," he remarked.The former judge opined that a group of three or five judges is not enough to grasp all aspects of the Collegium system and that needs to be corrected. In that regard, he suggested creation of a mechanism that invites former judges, social workers and people with a background in electoral politics to have debates to bring out a perfect system..Justice Kureshi also expressed concern over instances of human rights violations and reluctance of courts to protect lives of couples on grounds of immorality. "I am concerned everytime there is a case of human rights violation, when courts fail to protect the lives of couples because they think these couples are living in immorality. When live-in relationships are not protected because a judge thinks it is corrupting society," he said.However, he clarified that his concern was not a worry as he has faith that society will turn around."In the end, all of us must ask ourselves if we have lived a good life? And the answer shouldn't come from oneself but from others," he said.