New Delhi, Nov 2 Supreme Court judge Justice Manmohan on Monday urged members of the legal fraternity to celebrate Deepawali responsibly, reiterating that the legal profession had the capacity to illuminate the lives of a large number of people.
Justices Manmohan and Sanjeev Sachdeva participated in the ‘Deepawali Festival Celebration’ organised by the New Delhi Bar Association in the Patiala House district courts complex.
Both judges recalled their long association with the district court complex.
“Whenever I come to Patiala House, a lot of memories come back to me. Memories about the development and inauguration of the mediation centre, the kiosk, the computer kiosk, this national flag that was placed over here, the building, how we tried to redevelop it, the kiosks which were there, the vendors who were here who are rehabilitated by shifting them, and even the colour of this building, the paint that was used, how much of debate took place on that, and most challenging was COVID,” Justice Manmohan said.
“How the bar and the bench coordinated with each other during that difficult time, and how we used to hold medical sort of consultations with doctors, ensuring that tests take place over here and treatment is given here only. It was very challenging times, and the bar really cooperated with the bench, and we were able to offer some services to the members at large,” he added.
The apex court judge said that Deepawali, as a festival of lights, symbolises the victory of light over darkness.
“Really, this institution (district court) has the capacity to illuminate the life of a large number of people. Please do not forget that litigants, witnesses, as well as visitors who come to this building, come with a lot of hope. They are looking for justice at the end of the day, and really a judge by patiently listening to a matter, a lawyer by arguing a matter honestly, and the staff by extending courtesies to the visitors can really light a lamp, and that I think is within our path, and we must do it,” Justice Manmohan said.
He said it was heartening to see a large number of lady lawyers in the gathering.
“When I contrast it with, say, 10 years ago, the number of lady lawyers was not so large. But I am glad that a large number of ladies have now joined the bar and are taking an active part in the bar functions,” Justice Manmohan said.
He also appreciated the functioning of the district courts in the complex despite an expanding bar and limited infrastructural facilities.
“I hope that you will celebrate this function with a certain amount of responsibility. You will ensure that at the end of the day, there is enough air for the city to breathe. That is also very crucial, and therefore the onus lies on us to celebrate Diwali in a very responsible manner,” Justice Manmohan said.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said that he has been associated with the Patiala House courts for the last four decades.
“The bonhomie between judges, bench and bar as exists in the Patiala House courts is (witnessed) nowhere. In my 40 years, I have seen Patiala House courts change,” Justice Sachdeva said.
He said there is a fountain of youth in the court and it looks younger than what it was 40 years ago.
“This is a time for celebration, but as lawyers, judges and members of the legal fraternity, we belong to the community which is empowered enough to ensure that there is light everywhere. Do something to bring the marginalised people and those without the means into the mainstream and do something to light bright lamps in their homes,” he added.
(PTI News)
