The members of the Bar also said a few words.
“This year seems to be a year of attrition. There are 8 judges retiring this year. We are losing an extremely good judge and a cricketer. Whenever the Bar played against judges, Justice Rao headed the opponent team,” Attorney General KK Venugopal said.
He also pointed out that Justice Rao gave powerful judgments including the order releasing AG Perarivalan, who was convicted for assassinating former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta added,
“When milord accepted the opportunity to be a judge, I lost the favourite senior whom I loved to brief. We all have learnt a lot on administration of justice and humanity from him.”
Senior Advocates Pradeep Rai, Aman Lekhi and Mukul Rohtagi expressed hope that Justice Rao will find ways to be with the Bar members post retirement.
“Justice Rao has been a judge for 2,200 days almost. We have seen you in the corridors and as a judge also. We never felt that you were not one among us. Your son-in-law is also a practicing lawyer. We have to find out something so that you are more with us. I know that you were more happy as a lawyer and you were missing the Bar as a judge,” Rai said.
“You had all the attributes of a perfect judge,” Lekhi added.
“This Bench looks like a Bench favoured towards Andhra. I wish you a prosperous innings in the future. I know you will not come to the Bar, but in arbitration, you will be in the middle,” Rohatgi said.
Source: Barandbench
