Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – The Allahabad High Court, at its Lucknow bench, held a full court reference on Friday, August 1, 2025, to bid farewell to Hon’ble Mr. Justice Attau Rahman Masoodi upon his retirement. The event was marked by poignant speeches from esteemed members of the bar and the bench, all of whom lauded Justice Masoodi’s distinguished career, profound legal acumen, and unwavering commitment to justice.
The proceedings were chaired by the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Justice Arun Bhansali. Alongwith Chief Justice, the President of the Oudh Bar Association
Shri Pt.S. Chandra, AAG Shri S.M Singh Royekwar represented State Government and Sr.Adv Sri S.B Pandey spoke on behalf of Union Government sharing their personal and professional experiences with Justice Masoodi, painting a picture of a man known for his humility, integrity, and dedication to the rule of law.
Early Life and Path to the Bench
Born on August 3, 1963, in Mogal Pura, Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Masoodi’s journey in the legal field was one of consistent academic and professional excellence. He completed his matriculation in 1979 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, in 1985. His legal education was completed at the University of Lucknow, where he obtained his LLB in 1988.
Justice Masoodi enrolled as an advocate on December 27, 1989, and quickly established a formidable practice. His areas of expertise included civil, constitutional, service, and environmental law. He practiced before several High Courts, including Allahabad, Delhi, and Uttarakhand, as well as the Supreme Court of India, earning a reputation for his deep understanding of the law and his courteous demeanor.
A Distinguished Judicial Career
Justice Masoodi’s tenure on the bench began with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on February 1, 2014. He was subsequently appointed as a permanent judge on February 1, 2016. From August 10, 2023, he served as the senior judge at the Lucknow bench.
Speakers at the reference highlighted several of his landmark judgments. These included a notable case concerning the functioning of self-help groups and their interaction with public bodies, and another significant ruling on the retrospective application of amended pension rules. Beyond his judicial pronouncements, Justice Masoodi also made significant administrative contributions, serving as an administrative judge for various districts and as the chairman of several important committees.
Throughout the event, colleagues and members of the bar alike praised his judicial temperament, noting his patience, impartiality, and deep legal insight.
An Emotional Farewell
In his farewell address, Justice Masoodi delivered an emotional and heartfelt speech. He expressed his profound gratitude to his family, his colleagues on the bench, the members of the bar, and his staff for their unwavering support throughout his career. He spoke of the challenges and rewards of a life in the law and reflected on the core principles of justice and the independence of the judiciary.
Justice Masoodi also touched upon the challenges faced by government advocates and emphasized the need for a transparent and fair system. He paid special tribute to his late wife, Smt. Nazia Masoodi, who passed away the previous year, acknowledging her profound impact on his life and career. He also expressed pride in his children, Alina Masoodi and Ali Abbas Masoodi, who are both following in his footsteps in the legal profession.
Concluding his address, Justice Masoodi expressed his immense pride in the Allahabad High Court and his colleagues, leaving the audience with a sense of his deep affection and respect for the institution he served with such distinction.
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