At a heartfelt farewell ceremony held on Friday, Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Supreme Court judge, Justice Hima Kohli, calling her a “voice of reason” and a staunch advocate for the rule of law. The event, hosted by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), marked the culmination of Justice Kohli’s notable three-year tenure at the Supreme Court, with her retirement scheduled for September 1.
Justice Kohli, who is stepping down just a day before her birthday, leaves behind a significant void, with the Supreme Court now only featuring two female justices, BV Nagarathna and Bela M. Trivedi. Her departure was felt deeply among the attendees, which included top court judges, bar leaders like senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, and representatives from various high courts.
CJI Chandrachud, sharing a long history with Justice Kohli dating back to their college days at St. Stephen’s College and the Campus Law Centre, praised her for her profound impact on the judiciary and the legal profession. “Justice Kohli has exemplified sound judicial decision-making and sensitivity, serving as a role model not only for budding lawyers and judges but also as a pioneer for women in the legal field,” he said during the ceremony.
Justice Kohli’s career has been marked by her leadership roles, including serving as the chief justice of the Telangana High Court before her appointment to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021. Known for her spirited defense of women’s rights and her active role in the Supreme Court’s Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee, she has been a fervent advocate for gender justice being central to a just society.
During her farewell remarks, Justice Kohli expressed gratitude for her experiences at the apex court, highlighting her participation in constitution benches that tackled complex legal issues. “These cases not only broadened my perspective but reinforced my commitment to the legal profession,” she remarked.
The Chief Justice also highlighted some of Justice Kohli’s landmark judgments, including those on same-sex marriage, the administrative dispute between the Centre and the Delhi government, and critical health rights cases. He noted her influential role in landmark decisions and her recent critical observations on misleading advertisements by notable public figures.
As Justice Kohli prepares for the next chapter of her life, she reflected on her journey, noting the camaraderie and bonds formed with her fellow judges, describing them as a family. “The bonds formed here have been of affection and mutual respect, enriching my professional and personal life immensely,” she stated.
