The Bar Council of India has formally requested that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) arrange an official send-off for Justice Bela M Trivedi, whose tenure on the bench has just concluded.
The plea comes after no farewell function was held in her honour, breaking with established custom.
CJI’s Rebuke Of The SCBA
During Friday’s ceremonial bench proceedings, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai did not hesitate to voice his displeasure at the SCBA’s decision to forgo a customary goodbye event. Addressing the court, he said:
“I must deprecate openly, because I believe in speaking plainly… The association (SCBA) ought not to have taken such a stand.”
Traditionally, the SCBA arranges farewell gatherings for retiring judges of the Supreme Court. In Justice Trivedi’s case, however, the body chose not to convene the usual function—an omission that some insiders attribute to disagreements over certain rulings she delivered.
BCI’s Letter Of Concern
Taking up the matter later in the day, Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairperson of the BCI, penned a letter to SCBA President Kapil Sibal and SCAORA Head Vipin Nair. He underscored the message that a farewell is more than mere ceremony; it embodies the legal fraternity’s respect for judicial service.
“The denial of a farewell to a judge of such stature raises questions about the institutional values that we, as a collective body of legal professionals, stand for,” Mr. Mishra wrote. “To ignore her contributions and deny her the respect she rightfully deserves is to diminish the very principles of equity, fairness and integrity that Justice Trivedi has ardently upheld throughout her illustrious career.”
Upholding Legal Traditions
In his letter, the BCI head reminded both associations of their critical role in upholding the ethos of India’s highest court:
“The SCBA and SCAORA have for long exemplified leadership, wisdom and a deep sense of institutional responsibility. Your actions resonate far beyond the walls of the Supreme Court and serve as guiding lights for the legal fraternity and the nation at large.”
He went on to stress that farewell ceremonies serve as a reaffirmation of collective commitment to the judiciary’s dignity:
“Institutions are sustained by traditions, and traditions are upheld by the respect we accord to those who serve them with distinction and honour. We humbly urge the SCBA and SCAORA to uphold this tradition, and offer Justice Trivedi the farewell she deserves, as a gesture of institutional gratitude and respect.”
Justice Trivedi’s Tenure
Justice Bela M Trivedi, appointed on August 31, 2021, became the 11th woman judge in the Supreme Court’s history. Although her formal retirement date was slated for June 9, 2025, she stepped down on Friday due to a personal commitment, marking the end of over three years on the apex bench.
By seeking an official farewell, the BCI hopes to ensure that Justice Trivedi’s contributions to the judiciary are honoured in keeping with long-standing Supreme Court traditions.
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