Supreme Court judge for whom Friday was his last day as a judge, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka has stated that the top court is presently a “chief justice-centric court” and it needs to change.
Justice Abhay Oka Critiques Chief Justice-Centric Structure
Justice Oka, who was speaking at the farewell function organized for him by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), stated that the supreme court has judges from various regions of the country and that ought to be given expression.
“Supreme Court is a chief justice-centric court and it needs to change. Supreme Court has about 34 judges from different parts of the country and that should be reflected,” he said, according to Bar and Bench.
Justice Abhay Oka also expressed confidence that the change would be reflected under the tenure of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai.
“I’m sure you will see that change with the new CJI,” he said, according to Live Law.
Supreme Court as Guardian of Liberty
Third most senior judge Justice Abhay Oka also stated that the Supreme Court is one court that can ensure constitutional freedoms and the vision of the framers of the Constitution.
“I believe that this is the one court (Supreme Court) which can uphold the constitutional liberties, and that this has been my humble endeavor, and I am sure that the collective efforts will be made, this court will continue to uphold liberty, because that was the dream of the framers of the Constitution, and it was my honest endeavor to do that,” PTI news agency quoted him.
CJI Gavai Lauds Justice Oka’s Dedication
CJI Gavai also praised Justice Abhay Oka and spoke of his relentless work rate, even after suffering a personal loss.
“Just two days ago, his mother passed away. He came overnight for her funeral, back to work, and yet managed to hand down 11 judgments the following day,” the CJI stated.
Born on May 25, 1960, Justice Abhay Oka began his career in 1985 after joining the chambers of VP Tipnis, who was a former Judge of the Bombay high court. He worked more than two decades in judiciary, amongst whom was judge of the Bombay high court, Chief Justice of Karnataka high court after which he was elevated to Supreme Court August 31, 2021.
