Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has said that former Supreme Court judge, Justice Dinesh Mheshwari, always showed great commitment to ensure that justice was accessible to all.
Speaking at the farewell function of Justice Maheshwari organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday, the CJI said since his days of practice, Justice Maheshwari had a keen interest in civil procegers. He has been a driving force behind many important developments in this field. His contributions have helped in streamlining the legal system. Justice Maheshwari has authored over 100 verdicts, including the one on EWS reservation, noted the CJI.
He said the Supreme Court judge would often tell his juniors that as judges, they should not see a person, but only the cause. Justice Maheshwari told young lawyers that they should not argue for a person or his interests, but must represent a cause to which they must do justice, no less, no more.
Calling Justice Maheshwari a favourite with law interns and juniors, the CJI said he would go out of his way to make those working under him comfortable. He always ensured the safety of women practising under him.
He said that his association with Justice Maheshwari goes back to the times when he was the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court and Justice Mahehwari was serving as a judge at the Prayagraj branch of the High Court.
As per the CJI, when he needed a seasoned colleague at Lucknow, he requested Justice Maheshwari to join him as a senior judge at Lucknow Bench of the High Court. He said on his request, Justice Maheshwari joined him at Lucknow Bench. While working together, they got to know each other well and became good friends.
The CJI further said that just like the hues and shades of the cities that coloured his journey to law, Justice Maheshwari’s career in the judiciary too reflected a journey in which he navigated through different courts and cultures, which define the rich diversity of the country.
He has imbibed the culture of all the regions he has served in. His vast knowledge and rich experience, which he acquired in varied places, helped the Supreme Court a lot. Throughout his career, he showed a commitment to ensure that justice was accessible to all. He has been a great proponent of Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and arbitration.
Justice Maheshwari never shied away from raising issues of importance for administrative justice. He once pointed out during a hearing that the government should be a responsible litigant rather than being a compulsive litigant, noted CJI Chandrachud.
He said he would miss Justice Maheshwari and remember him as a very kind person and a great human being, who always remained grounded in his roots. As he embarks on a new chapter in his life, the CJI said, he wished Justice Mheshwari all the best.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh said on the occasion that he would not say Justice Maheshwari was retiring, since he was very young for the same. He wished the Supreme Court judge all the best for his second innings.
The SCBA chief also mentioned the contributions of Justice Maheshwari’s wife, Advocate Suman Maheshwari, who despite being a qualified lawyer, never practised, in order to bring up the family. Advocate Maheshwari chose her family over her career, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, SCBA Vice-President and Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai said Justice Maheshwari was the second judge after Justice R.M. Lodha from Jaipur to join the Supreme Court. He said Justice Maheshwari has been a very generous and humble human being, who was fond of all young members of the Bar and would even offer them chocolates.
The Senior Advocate said Justice Maheshwari loved Marwari cuisine, especially the Jodhpouri pakoras. He had a keen interest in outdoor sports and loved to play cricket. The SCBA Vice-President said most of the judges of the Supreme Court have been very generous to the Bar and have taken efforts to show their care for the lawyers and Advocates.