A day before he is set to take oath as a judge of the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Manmohan said he found purpose, passion and a sense of belonging at the High Court..He said that as judge, he has always tried to ensure that public faith in judicial system is increased."And while serving on the bench, I have always tried to ensure that public faith in the judicial system is increased. After all, the real efficacy and credibility of a judicial system is measured by the public faith that it enjoys. I cannot say whether I have succeeded in achieving the same and honestly that judgment never lies with the judge," Justice Manmohan said.He was speaking at his farewell reference in a courtroom jam-packed with lawyers. "It is probably the first time that words are not easy to find. When you're about to part with an institution where you spent more than three decades of your professional career, it is quite hard to find a starting point," he said in the beginning of his address.Describing his 16-year journey as the High Court judge challenging as well as interesting, Justice Manmohan revealed that he was the first in his family to join the legal profession."Delhi High Court has been a home, a place where I found purpose, passion and a sense of belonging. Thank you for being a part of my journey. As I proceed to the Supreme Court, I can confidently say that this Court shall always hold a special place in my life," he added..After Supreme Court Collegium last month recommended Justice Manmohan's elevation to the top court, the Union government issued a notification clearing his appointment on December 3.Justice Manmohan's swearing-in ceremony at the top court is expected take place at 10:30 am on Thursday..In his address in the courtroom where he heard cases earlier, Justice Manmohan also recounted the early days of his career as a lawyer. He specifically made a mention of his experience as a junior at the chambers of Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal."He [Sibal] taught me the importance of not how much one reads, but what one understands and how much one can convey to the court," he said.Justice Manmohan also went on to describe his experiences as the High Court judge."Ever since I joined the bench on 13 March, 2008, I was acutely aware of the immense responsibility the post represented. The law is not just a set of rules, but a living, breathing entity that guides our society, protects our rights and ensures justice. Each day on the bench was a testament to my commitment to these items. Over the years, I have had the privilege to decide many significant cases"..I have witnessed the transformative power of law, seen it heal wounds, right wrongs and restore faithJustice Manmohan.He then referred to certain judgments passed by him, saying these cases have had far reaching implications, impacting not just the parties involved, but the entire society."But beyond these landmark judgments are countless other cases, each unique, each challenging, that have made this journey so enriching. I have witnessed the transformative power of law, seen it heal wounds, right wrongs and restore faith," Justice Manmohan remarked..Further, Justice Manmohan said that administering justice is not just about delivering verdicts but understanding the human stories behind each case, with empathy and compassion.Justice has been and continues to be a constant endeavor, he added. .However, he also said that he felt a great sense of satisfaction in serving the cause of justice to the best of his ability."In the life of a judge, the most memorable days are those when he manages to bring a smile on the face of a litigant, and this Court has given me plenty of those days to cherish for a lifetime," he added..Justice Manmohan concluded by reciting the lyrics from a classic Hindi song written by Gulzar and sung by Kishore Kumar, "Aane wala pal, jaane wala hai". This was followed by a resounding applause. .Acting Chief Justice designate of the Delhi High Court Vibhu Bakhru lauded Justice Manmohan for his achievements. "As a judge, Chief Justice Manmohan has been one of the strongest advocates of dispute resolution through ADR," Justice Bakhru said.Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma said that Justice Manmohan has been the longest serving judge of the Delhi High Court. Delhi Bar Council Chairman Surya Prakash Khatri, Additional Standing Counsel Amol Sinha and Delhi High Court Bar Association President Mohit Mathur also spoke on the occasion..Justice Manmohan was appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court in September 2024. Before that, he served as its Acting Chief Justice for over 10 months.He was born on December 17, 1962 and completed LL.B from Delhi's Campus Law Centre in 1987. He enrolled as a lawyer with the Bar Council of Delhi that same year and practiced law before the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court.He was designated Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in January 2003. He was appointed as additional judge of the Delhi High Court on March 13, 2008 and was made permanent on December 17, 2009.
