The Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V. Ramana, along with members of the bar and bench bid farewell to Justice Ashok Bhushan on his last working day on Wednesday.

Although Justice Bhushan’s last working day was supposed to be on July 4 but due to the sad demise of his mother, Justice Bhushan had his last working day as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India today. 

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh was the first to address the ceremonial bench, thereafter Shivaji Yadav, President, SCAORA addressed the bar and bench bidding their warm farewell to the Judge.

SCBA Secretary Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad expressed his heartfelt wishes to the Judge and stated that he felt sorry as the Judge retires from the bench. SCAORA Vice-President Manoj Kumar Mishra and Diksha Rai Goswami were amongst others who also expressed their warm regards to the Judge.

Young members of the bar said they were always fond of appearing before Justice Bhushan’s bench as he was a sturdy supporter of young lawyers.

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana in his address to the Bar and Bench said,

“Justice Bhushan’s journey has truly been remarkable. He has spent nearly two decades delivering justice in constitutional courts. His journey as a legal professional is marked by many milestones. Justice Bhushan has always been a valuable colleague. His presence on the Bench and on the Committees that I am a member of, has been so very reassuring. Simply because, he is, first and foremost, a great human being. This quality has found abundant reflection in discharge of his duties – both while facing and adorning the Bench.

His judgments stand testimony to his welfarist and humanist approach. His concern for the welfare of every section of the society is reflected in his opinions and writings. Justice Bhushan will certainly be remembered and thanked for his judicial contributions,” said the CJI.

Justice Ashok Bhushan addressed the bar and bench for the last time as the Judge of Supreme Court “… I am of the view that a judgment by a judge is not only his contribution, it is the contribution of all those involved in it.  To be a part of the Supreme Court is a matter of great pride. I find myself too small in front of those who have adorned in front of this court… The bar is the nursery of judges.. Today I pay my homage to the bar… I am thankful to all the judges and colleagues, on this day I express my gratitude to all and the registry and my personal staff. Thank you very much”

Justice Bhushan started his career as an advocate enrolled with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh practicing as an advocate in Allahabad High Court. He had served as the standing counsel for multiple institutions such as Allahabad University, State Mineral Development Corporation Limited and several Municipal Boards, Banks & Education Institutions and he was also elected as the Senior Vice-President of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association.

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Justice Bhushan was elevated as Judge of Allahabad High Court in 2001 after a successful practice of nearly 22 years at the bar. Justice Bhushan was later appointed as judge of the High Court of Kerala and after a year he went on to become the Chief Justice of High Court of Kerala in 2015. Not much after that, Justice Bhushan was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on May 13, 2016.