CJI praises Justice Karol’s patience, courtesy as judge bids SC farewell

Justice Karol thanked the Bar for their support and stated that his greatest privilege has been to fulfill the constitutional promise entrusted to him

A judge who is remembered not only for his judgments but for the patience he displayed in hearing matters, courtesy he extended to lawyers and willingness to listen to litigants, is the most fitting tribute to be paid to the contribution made by a judge, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said on Saturday.

Addressing the Ceremonial Bench on the occasion of Supreme Court judge justice Sanjay Karol’s last day in office, the CJI recalled that these qualities made justice Karol to give legal visibility to overlooked realities in society, through his judgments that touched innumerable lives.

Lawyers who gathered to bid farewell remembered him as a “saintly judge”, one who encouraged young members of the Bar and forced advocates to look at a matter emotively.

Summarising the responses, the CJI said, “The Bar remembers justice Karol not simply for the judgments, but for his patience, courtesy, willingness to listen and sense of reassurance that accompanied his courtroom presence. That, perhaps, is one of the finest tributes that can be paid to anyone who has occupied judicial office.”

Recently, it was a judgment authored by justice Karol that gave dignity and identity to homemakers by directing a new head of compensation – “loss of domestic care” for cases involving death of homemaker under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. The judgment recognised homemakers as “nation builders” and fixed a notional monthly income of ₹30,000 under this newly added category.

The CJI recalled the deep “sensitivity to the human consequences of law” that justice Karol was always alive to throughout his professional journey, both as a lawyer and later as a judge. “The quality of listening also explains what is distinctive about his judicial work. Over the years, he has repeatedly noticed what the law can sometimes overlook: the unpaid labour of a homemaker, the dignity of a tribal woman, or the needs of those living with mental illness. He gave legal visibility to such overlooked realities by recognising them as respected integrals of our society,” the CJI said.

Prior to his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court in February 2023, he started as a judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court in 2007. He went on to become the chief justice of the high courts at Tripura and Patna before being elevated to the top court.

Justice Karol thanked the Bar for their support and stated that his greatest privilege has been to fulfill the constitutional promise entrusted to him and urged lawyers to live the Constitution and not just cite it.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta said that due to the calm demeanour of justice Karol, he is well known as a “saintly judge” and complimented him for his encouraging practice of appointing young lawyers to assist as amicus curiae in over 400 cases. Additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati recalled that the time spent in his court was a refreshing experience, similar to a “beautiful, calm oasis” in a desert.

Looking back, the CJI said, “The more lasting contribution by justice Karol lies in the manner in which he has approached each responsibility: with seriousness towards the law, sensitivity towards people, and an unshakeable regard for the office he serves.”