Justice Sanjay Karol Bids Farewell to Supreme Court, Says Judges Are Not God and Must Deliver Justice With Humility

New Delhi: Retiring Supreme Court Judge Justice Sanjay Karol became emotional during his farewell ceremony on Saturday as he reflected on his remarkable four-decade-long legal journey. In his farewell address, Justice Karol said that judges are not infallible and, like all human beings, they can make mistakes. He emphasized that humility, compassion, and empathy must remain at the core of judicial responsibility.

Justice Karol stated that the Constitution does not only demand the correct implementation of law but also requires justice to be delivered in a fair and humane manner. He said that the role of a judge is not limited to deciding who is legally right or wrong, but also involves understanding the human struggles and expectations behind every case.

"A court file or petition can only present the facts of a matter, but it cannot express what a person has lost or the hopes with which they have approached the court," Justice Karol observed. He added that justice is not merely a battle of legal arguments but an effort to understand the silent emotions and realities hidden behind the words.

Justice Karol Stresses Importance of Humility in Judgments

Highlighting the importance of humility in judicial decisions, Justice Karol said that every judge must approach verdicts with a sense of responsibility and awareness of human limitations.

Recalling his professional journey, Justice Karol said he began his career as an advocate and went on to serve as a judge for nearly two decades. During his judicial career, he served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Tripura High Court, and Patna High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023.

At the farewell ceremony, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and Supreme Court Bar Association President Pradeep Rai praised Justice Karol's contribution to the judiciary and his commitment to justice.

Concluding his address, Justice Karol said he was now returning to the "greatest and most prestigious constitutional position" — that of an ordinary citizen.

CJI Surya Kant Praises Justice Karol’s Judicial Leadership

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant praised Justice Karol for his empathy, administrative abilities, and dedication to the legal system. He said Justice Karol’s career reflected a deep commitment to law, sensitivity towards people, and respect for constitutional values.

The CJI highlighted Justice Karol’s exceptional listening ability, describing it as one of the qualities that distinguished his judicial work. He also recalled Justice Karol’s administrative achievements during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court, where he significantly reduced the pending cases from around 60,000 to below 27,000 within ten months.

The reduction was achieved through effective case management, regular monitoring of pending matters, disciplined listing procedures, and personal attention to complex cases, CJI Surya Kant said.