Supreme Court Justice Justice DY Chandrachud said Saturday that it is “deeply disturbing” that the high court is left with only one woman after Justice Indu Malhotra’s retirement and called for “serious introspection” to address this.
“Judge Malhotra’s retirement means that the Supreme Court now has only one female judge on the court. As an institution, I find this to be a deeply disturbing fact and should receive serious introspection immediately, ”he said, addressing a farewell ceremony for Judge Malhotra, who left office on Saturday.
Speaking at the virtual event, organized by the Supreme Court Young Lawyers Forum, Justice Chandrachud also underscored the need to ensure diversity in the composition of the court.
“As an institution whose decision shapes and impacts the daily lives of Indians, we must do better. We must ensure that the diversity of our country is reflected in the composition of our court, “he said, adding that” having a more diverse judiciary is an end; a goal in itself and worth pursuing in itself ”.
A diverse judiciary also ensures diversity of perspectives and instills a high degree of public trust, he added.
Judge Chandrachud recalled that Judge Malhotra had spoken about the struggles she had to endure to rise through the ranks as a woman and added that “as members of the legal fraternity, we do our bit to ensure that it does not continue to be so difficult for women. women, as it was for Judge Malhotra, to reach the highest echelons of our profession ”.
Judge Malhotra, she said, is “a woman who has broken many glass ceilings and has been an example of how the amazing responsibilities of the judiciary can be fulfilled with determination, fairness, competence and compassion.”
Referring to his trial in the decriminalization of homosexuality case, Judge Chandrachud said that although he is technically retiring, “as the trial showed, he is truly young in mind and vibrant in his inner being and soul.”
She added that Judge Malhotra, in performing her duties with a high degree of competence, “has served as a powerful symbol for many women in the profession” and “her story has undoubtedly made her dreams more dreams.
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Speaking at the event, Judge Malhotra shared some advice for the younger members of the Bar Association and sought to convey that it is “important” that they conduct themselves “with a high degree of professionalism” and are “punctual in commitments.”
She recalled that one of the issues she had raised, when the lawyers called her to the law room after becoming a judge, was to instill in them the need to distinguish between professional and fashionable attire.
“… I told you please don’t wear fashionable clothes, that you should save for the night and not while you are at work… You should dress professionally, as this will be perceived by your clients, your colleagues and The Bench. Second, you have to learn to write clearly and concisely, “he added.
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