In a poignant farewell to Justice C.T. Ravikumar, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal commended the retiring Supreme Court judge for his straightforward and principled approach to law and justice. Speaking at a SCBA event on Friday, Sibal likened Justice Ravikumar’s tenure on the bench to a cricket innings played with integrity and adherence to the rules, much to the admiration of the legal community.
Justice Ravikumar, who is also known for his passion for cricket and soccer, received high praise for his judicial conduct during his time at the Supreme Court. “As a lover of cricket, you played your innings with a straight back, bowled no googlies, and always abided by the rules of the game, which is what all lawyers want. I wish you all the very best for your next inning,” said Sibal, capturing the essence of Justice Ravikumar’s career.
The event marked the culmination of Justice Ravikumar’s judicial career, as he is set to retire on January 5. Sibal highlighted the unique and significant contributions of Justice Ravikumar to the apex court, noting his clear voice and diligent work ethic that have markedly shaped the development of law, particularly in the fields of criminal law, inheritance law, and the law of evidence.
Justice Ravikumar’s tenure was distinguished by his methodical legal reasoning, often beginning his judgments with legal maxims, which brought clarity and coherence to complex legal matters. “Your judgments are well structured and understood by all. As a judge of the constitutional court, you have strived to give voice to the powerless and have passed strong directions on fairness in criminal trials and on the need for the spirit of justice,” Sibal added.
Sibal also took the opportunity to outline the broader role of the judiciary in a democracy, tackling complex issues amidst the country’s diverse backdrop. He lauded Justice Ravikumar’s involvement in several seminal constitutional decisions, such as the Jallikattu verdict, which balanced animal rights with cultural rights; the Anoop Barnawal decision on the independence of the election commissioner’s office; and the common causes decision concerning the right to die with dignity.
