A Judge Should Not Hesitate to Offend Anyone in Upholding the Constitution

On his final working day at the Supreme Court, Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka delivered a powerful parting message, affirming that a judge's duty lies not in garnering popularity but in fearlessly upholding liberty and the constitutional values, even if it means offending others.

- PARMOD KUMAR

Sitting on the ceremonial Bench alongside Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, Justice Oka reflected on his judicial journey, expressing gratitude while reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution and the stream of liberty running through it.

"It was my honest endeavor to uphold the Constitution. In that honest endeavor, I may have offended a few lawyers. But I always believe that a judge has to be very firm, strict, and that a judge should not hesitate to offend anyone while pursuing the cause of justice," said Justice Oka.

Despite the personal loss of his mother in the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, Justice Oka flew to Mumbai for the last rites and was back in the Supreme Court Friday morning, where he delivered a record 11 judgments on his final day on the Bench.