Quality of judgment decides conduct of judges

Jabalpur, Mar 01: Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court Anang Kumar Patnaik on Friday said that qualities of a good judge reflect through his conduct, delivery of quality judgments and command over the language besides the administrative capabilities and critics he earned inside and outside the court.

Addressing the gathering at a programme organized to felicitate two newly appointed judges of MPHC, the chief guest Justice Patnaik said that it is very difficult to select the practicing advocates for their elevation to bench on the strength of their conduct towards their fellow lawyers, argument capacity, and command over presentation in the court language. The Chief Justice and two of the senior judges in the Collegium of the High Court have a difficult task to finalise the recommendations within six months. They have selected Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Prakash Shrivastva making rigorous efforts, Chief Justice Patnaik said.

The Chief Justice advised the fellow judges that their judgments will not be shadowed by influence from any corner as their awards would be a learning ground for the advocates. Further, their conduct would be monitored by the legal fraternity who will access their performance. If any ambiguity is displayed, the Judge comes under the scanner of the critic and public which will hamper the reputation of the higher office of the court and judiciary will lose the faith of the people. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Ramesh Suraj Mal Garg mentioned that judges should act fearlessly and determined to deliver judgments fearlessly and fairnessly without any favour or influence on the basis of case merit.

He said that a judge can win hearts of lawyers and litigants with his conduct and judgment delivery. Earlier, senior Vice-President of Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association (MPHCBA) Rakesh Pandey, in his welcome and introductory speech, said that the hard work never goes in vain and results of persistent effort always yield positive result. The newly elevated Judges, Sharma and Shrivastava are the best example of the positive outcome of great efforts made in legal field. Pande added that the simplicity, impartiality, fearlessness and Excellency in the subject and knowledge of Law will make them perfect. He thanked Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and his colleagues at Collegiums for picking up the best advocates for elevation on the bench which is the proud members of the MPHCBA.