In an emotional farewell on the eve of his retirement, Supreme Court Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia on Friday reflected on his journey in the judiciary, sharing heartfelt words about his love for the nation and the legal fraternity. “I am going to miss my Hindustan,” he said, evoking deep sentiment in the courtroom.
The farewell proceedings were held before the ceremonial bench presided over by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, alongside Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria. Justice Dhulia, who demits office on August 9, recounted a conversation with his wife earlier in the morning. When she asked what he would miss most after retirement, he replied without hesitation, “I am going to miss my Hindustan.”
Expanding on the remark, he said, “My Hindustan is the lawyers who come from every corner of the country. This court is a reflection of the nation — diverse, vibrant, full of argument and insight. That is what I will miss each morning.”
Chief Justice Gavai praised Justice Dhulia’s quiet conviction and deep intellect, noting that his judgments reflected “substance over superficiality.” The CJI also shared their personal camaraderie, recalling how Justice Dhulia would often gift him books and engage in enriching conversations. “He is an avid reader, a keen golfer, and a lover of theatre. We are grateful for your contribution and look forward to more time together in Delhi post-retirement,” the CJI added.
Justice Dhulia, who joined the apex court in May 2022, shared a literary analogy to describe the intellectual richness of courtroom arguments. Citing Somerset Maugham’s Of Human Bondage, he likened his judicial experience to learning to see a tree “against the background of the sky.” “That is what I saw here — depth and context in arguments, something I had not visualised before,” he said.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani applauded Justice Dhulia’s humane approach to the law, saying, “He saw the human element in every case, and always gave us our day in court.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta commended the judge’s impartiality and deep engagement with literature and Urdu poetry. “He never let personal preferences interfere with judicial duties,” Mehta remarked.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, reminiscing about her early appearances before him in the Uttarakhand High Court, remarked warmly, “You do not look a day older.”
Justice Dhulia’s life has been steeped in public service. Born on August 10, 1960, he hails from a family of distinguished professionals — his father was a judge of the Allahabad High Court, his mother an academic, and his grandfather a renowned freedom fighter.
After completing his education in Dehradun, Allahabad, and Lucknow, he graduated in 1981 and went on to earn a law degree in 1986, along with a Master’s in Modern History. Beginning his legal career at the Allahabad High Court, he moved to the newly established Uttarakhand High Court in 2000, where he became a senior advocate and was elevated to the bench in 2008.
Justice Dhulia concluded his address with a heartfelt message to the legal community: “I will always remember you and your arguments in court, and I hope you remember me sometimes too.”
