GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th May: In an unusual departure from tradition, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday chose not to hold a customary farewell for retiring Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M Trivedi, drawing sharp criticism from Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud.
Justice Trivedi, the eleventh woman to be appointed to the apex court in its history, officially retired early due to personal commitments, though she was scheduled to demit office on June 9. A ceremonial bench comprising the CJI and Justices Augustine George Masih and Trivedi convened in her honour, celebrating her judicial journey from the subordinate judiciary to the nation’s highest court.
CJI Gavai openly expressed disapproval of the SCBA’s decision, stating, “I must deprecate openly… Such a stand ought not to have been taken by the association.” Despite the SCBA resolution, he acknowledged the presence of its president Kapil Sibal and other office bearers as a gesture of respect for institutional tradition.
Justice Masih echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of upholding judicial customs, saying, “Traditions need to be followed, and they are to be respected.”
Justice Trivedi, elevated to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021, was praised for her integrity, judicial acumen, and independent thinking—most notably reflected in her dissent in a recent seven-judge verdict on Scheduled Caste sub-classification. Her legal career spans over three decades, beginning as a judge in the Ahmedabad City Civil and Sessions Court in 1995, following in the footsteps of her father, who also served there.
Reflecting on her career, Justice Trivedi remarked, “For 30 years, I have spoken only through my judgments… I leave with immense satisfaction and gratitude.”
Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and senior advocate Sibal hailed her contributions, with Mehta commending her unwavering commitment to constitutional principles even when unpopular. Sibal also pointed to the rarity of women judges in the apex court, underscoring the significance of her tenure.
Born in Patan, Gujarat, in 1960, Justice Trivedi’s journey through the district judiciary, Gujarat and Rajasthan High Courts, and finally the Supreme Court was described by CJI Gavai as “a compelling story of perseverance, integrity, and dedication.”
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