Today, the Supreme Court hosted a touching farewell ceremony for Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who is retiring today.

A ceremonial bench presided over by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna was held to honor the departing judge.

During the ceremonial bench proceedings, members of the bar bid a heartfelt farewell to Justice Roy, their voices resounding with admiration and respect. The lawyers praised his compassionate approach and steadfast commitment to upholding justice, reflecting the deep affection and esteem he earned within the Supreme Court bar.

 "Smile is a curve that can set many things straight." "You carried a rare charm which made the bar productive," AG said. 

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta echoed this sentiment, highlighting how Justice Roy's sense of humor brought a sense of ease to the courtroom, helping to alleviate tension and foster a more harmonious atmosphere.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, lavished praise on Justice Roy's compassionate approach to the law. Sibal also highlighted the proactive steps taken by Justice Roy to provide relief during the Assam floods, showcasing his dedication to justice both inside and outside the courtroom.

"I know you have helped people in Assam floods; I know you talk to deaf and dumb people in their sign language, I know you walk to the juniors who feel alone in parties," Sibal said.

"You have an old-school charm which will be missed in the court for years to come and your boldness is something very few judges have," he added.

Mr. Nair noted that all three judges on the bench—CJI Khanna, Justice Roy, and Justice Kumar—were distinguished alumni of the renowned Campus Law Centre of Delhi University. He also shared that Justice Roy had been blessed by Kamakhya Devi in Assam upon his appointment as a Judge of the Guwahati High Court, and by the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala when he assumed the position of Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.

ASG Bhati described Justice Roy's courtroom as a "Buddha-like Court, calm and composed," while Farasat emphasized that Justice Roy skillfully balanced humor and discipline. 

CJI Sanjiv Khanna lauded Justice Roy for his "exceptional legal acumen and discipline," also highlighting him as a well-rounded individual with a deep appreciation for arts, sports, and literature.

Justice Sanjay Kumar reminisced about Justice Roy's sporting accomplishments, recalling his days as a hockey champion and footballer at Delhi Public School. He shared a legendary tale of a match where DPS triumphed over Modern School, thanks in large part to Justice Roy's exceptional skill. Justice Kumar also mentioned that in recent years, Justice Roy has developed a keen interest in golf, taking up the sport with great enthusiasm.

Justice Roy's deep passion for theater and the arts was widely acknowledged. Justice Kumar recalled that during his years as a lawyer, Justice Roy directed plays. As a judge, he continued to nurture this love, often taking his law clerks along to attend plays and art events. Additionally, Justice Roy was known for his fondness for books and was often seen gifting them to friends.

"To my great horror, I was saying Passover, no sound was coming, my vocal cords froze. That was my first appearance. I am sure this is how all of us have learnt," Justice Roy remembered.

He shared that as a young lawyer, he felt immense joy whenever his name appeared in court proceedings. This experience inspired him, as a judge, to ensure that the names of junior lawyers were also duly recorded in the court's records, acknowledging their contributions.

"I hope in my 23 years of career I did justice....Finally as I exit from court 1, I hope my parents feel that I fulfilled their expectations," Justice Roy said.

Justice Hrishikesh Roy was born on February 1, 1960. He earned his LL.B. degree from the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in 1982. On December 21, 2004, he was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Gauhati High Court.

Justice Roy was sworn in as an Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court on October 12, 2006, and became a permanent Judge on July 15, 2008. In August 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on September 23, 2019.