Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna offered a heartfelt tribute to Justice CT Ravikumar on his last working day, recognizing him as a “humane and noble soul.”
CJI Khanna highlighted the extraordinary journey of Justice Ravikumar, who rose from a humble rural background to serve on the country’s highest court—a feat that CJI Khanna called nothing short of remarkable.
Justice Ravikumar, who was appointed to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021, after a distinguished tenure at the Kerala High Court, is currently the ninth senior-most judge in the apex court. As he prepares to retire on Sunday, a ceremonial bench including CJI Khanna, Justice Ravikumar, and Justice Sanjay Kumar bid an emotional farewell, reflecting on his exceptional contributions and legacy.
In his speech, CJI Khanna spoke of the challenges Justice Ravikumar faced growing up in a rural setting and rising to prominence without the advantages of an urban upbringing. “Coming from a rural background and achieving the distinction of serving as a judge of the Supreme Court is a remarkable accomplishment.
Justice Ravikumar has not only achieved this but has excelled in his duties,” the CJI said. He emphasized that Justice Ravikumar’s story would serve as a source of inspiration for generations of judges to come, and he would leave behind a lasting legacy.
“We will certainly miss him, but we wish him all the best for the future,” CJI Khanna added, noting that Justice Ravikumar would continue to reside in Delhi after his retirement.
In his farewell speech, Justice Ravikumar expressed deep gratitude toward the Bar for its unwavering support throughout his career. “I started as an advocate, and that spirit of an advocate remains within me. That is why I have always held the Bar in the highest esteem,” he shared.
Legal luminaries such as Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Kapil Sibal also paid tribute to Justice Ravikumar. Solicitor General Mehta praised the judge’s calm and composed demeanor, noting that Justice Ravikumar was never known to raise his voice or lose his temper, ensuring that everyone around him felt at ease.
“The Lordship was never a god-fearing man, but always a god-loving person,” he remarked.
Kapil Sibal, who shares a fondness for nature and cricket with Justice Ravikumar, offered a personal reflection. He compared the judge’s admiration for nature to his own, stating, “Just as you observe nature every day for half an hour, so do I, as it teaches me lessons every day. Animals only kill when they are hungry.
Humans, however, often act out of greed or malice. We can learn so much from nature.” Sibal described Justice Ravikumar as a simple, unassuming, and compassionate individual, always willing to listen and consider others’ viewpoints.
About Justice C.T. Ravikumar
Born on January 6, 1960, in Peermadu, Kerala, Justice Ravikumar pursued a degree in zoology from Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, before completing his LLB from Government Law College, Calicut. He began his legal career as an advocate in Mavelikara courts in 1986, later moving to the Kerala High Court.
Justice Ravikumar was appointed an additional judge of the Kerala High Court in January 2009 and became a permanent judge in December 2010. His elevation to the Supreme Court in 2021 marked the pinnacle of a distinguished legal career. As he steps into retirement, his legacy as a fair, humble, and dedicated judge will be remembered by all who worked with him.
