In a candid and thought-provoking farewell, Justice Abhay Oka used his final address as a Supreme Court judge to highlight structural challenges within the top court’s functioning, particularly calling for a shift from a Chief Justice-centric system to a more inclusive and institutionalised framework.
Justice Oka, who served on the bench for three years, remarked:
“The Supreme Court is a Chief Justice-centric court. I think we need to change that.”
Unlike High Courts, which function through well-defined committees, fixed rosters, and delegated administrative roles, the Supreme Court continues to operate largely at the discretion of the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Oka expressed hope that this would evolve under the leadership of Chief Justice BR Gavai, emphasizing the importance of reflecting the diversity and decentralised strength of the court’s 34 judges.
He also addressed long-standing concerns about the opaque and inconsistent listing of cases. Referring to public frustration about some matters being fast-tracked while others languish, he said:
“We must do something for the listing of cases… Listing must be rational, and no one should have to question why one case is being listed earlier.”
Justice Oka urged the Supreme Court to adopt modern technologies like AI and minimize manual intervention in the listing process, drawing inspiration from High Courts that follow structured rosters and transparent procedures.
He underscored the dual role of the Supreme Court—not just as a constitutional authority but also as a court of final appeal—and stressed that consistency, fairness, and institutional integrity must guide its daily functioning.
Chief Justice BR Gavai delivered a heartfelt tribute, recalling his longstanding association with Justice Oka:
“With a stroke of his pen, he restored the faith of thousands... I bid farewell to a truly remarkable judge.”
He praised Oka’s intellectual depth, diligence, and unwavering commitment to justice, noting that Oka’s example would inspire future generations of legal professionals.
Justice Oka closed his farewell on a reflective note, acknowledging the emotional and professional weight of leaving the bench. He admitted to the difficulty of writing his farewell speech amid a heavy workload of pending judgments and offered a moving insight into the life of a judge:
“Judges have the freedom to do justice. That freedom is not available once you're no longer a judge... Judgeship becomes life and life becomes judgeship.”
His farewell message not only marked the end of a respected judicial career but also served as a vision statement for much-needed reform and introspection at the highest levels of the Indian judiciary.
