Senior advocate Dushyant Dave on Friday wept bitterly as he bid farewell to outgoing Chief Justice NV Raman, saying he maintained checks and balances between the judiciary, executive and Parliament and did so “along the backbone”.
While Dave described Raman as a civil judge, his colleague, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, said the court would remember him for “maintaining balance even in turbulent times”.
“I speak on behalf of a huge crowd of citizens of this country. You stood up for them. You upheld their rights and the Constitution. When you took office, I was skeptical about what the court had done. I must say “You fulfilled our expectations. You maintained checks and balances between the judiciary, the executive and the Parliament. You did it with the backbone,” Dave said as Sibal said Raman also took care of the judges’ family.
“When the sea is calm, the ship will sail. We are passing through a very turbulent time. It is difficult for the ship to move.
“This court will remember you for maintaining balance even in turbulent times. You have ensured that the dignity and integrity of this Court are maintained. That the government has been called to respond,” Sibal said.
CJI Ramana, who was sworn in as the 48th head of the judiciary on April 24 last year, is stepping down today after a tenure of more than 16 months.
