The Kerala High Court held a farewell reference to bid farewell to Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadikari following his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. Members of the judiciary, representatives of the Bar, and state law officers participated in the ceremony and reflected on his tenure at the Kerala High Court while acknowledging his contribution to the institution. During the event, Justice Dharmadikari addressed the gathering and shared his reflections on his time in Kerala, describing the experience as both challenging and enriching. He emphasized the importance of empathy, fairness, and sensitivity in the administration of justice and stated that the justice delivery system must not only focus on efficiency but must also remain attentive to the human aspects of legal disputes.
In his farewell address, Justice Dharmadikari spoke about the distinctive legal culture in Kerala and highlighted the active role played by both the legal community and the public in the judicial process. He observed that the state has a highly engaged and articulate Bar along with a citizenry that is well educated and aware of its rights. According to him, this combination creates a unique legal environment where decisions taken by authorities are frequently examined and debated within civil society. He remarked that this level of awareness and participation reflects the strong democratic values present in the state and contributes to maintaining accountability in public institutions.
Justice Dharmadikari reflected on the transition he experienced when he moved from the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur to the Kerala High Court. He explained that the shift involved adapting not only to a different judicial environment but also to a different linguistic and cultural context. Coming from the Hindi-speaking Mahakoushal region to a Malayalam-speaking state initially presented certain challenges. He noted that understanding the social and cultural background of the cases being heard required effort and adjustment. According to him, this process of adaptation helped him gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity that exists within the country and the ways in which regional contexts influence legal issues and judicial processes.
While speaking about his experience at the Kerala High Court, Justice Dharmadikari expressed gratitude to his fellow judges for their support and cooperation during his tenure. He stated that their guidance helped him understand the nuances of the legal system in the state and enabled him to perform his judicial duties effectively. He acknowledged that the collegial atmosphere among judges played a significant role in helping him adapt to the new environment and carry out his responsibilities smoothly.
Justice Dharmadikari also conveyed his appreciation for the members of the Kerala Bar. He remarked that the arguments presented before the Court by lawyers often demonstrated exceptional clarity and depth of legal reasoning. According to him, the legal submissions made in the courtroom frequently resembled masterclasses in advocacy and helped enrich the process of judicial decision-making. He observed that the professionalism and dedication of the Bar contributed significantly to the functioning of the judicial system and assisted the Court in arriving at well-reasoned conclusions.
In addition to acknowledging the contributions of judges and lawyers, Justice Dharmadikari expressed his gratitude to the registry and administrative staff of the High Court. He noted that the effective functioning of the judicial system depends heavily on the work carried out by court officials who manage the administrative aspects of the institution. Their efforts, he said, ensure that cases are processed efficiently and that the judicial machinery operates smoothly on a daily basis.
Justice Dharmadikari also spoke about the responsibilities that await him in his new role as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He acknowledged the long and distinguished history of the Madras High Court, which is among the oldest High Courts in the country. He stated that assuming leadership of such an institution carries significant responsibility and expressed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and strengthening public trust in the judiciary. He indicated that he looks forward to taking on the new responsibilities and continuing his efforts to ensure that justice is administered effectively and fairly.
During his address, Justice Dharmadikari emphasized that maintaining the faith of ordinary citizens in the judiciary is one of the most important duties of a judge. He stated that people approach courts with the expectation that their grievances will be heard impartially and resolved in accordance with the law. According to him, judges must strive to meet these expectations by ensuring that justice is delivered not only in a timely manner but also with empathy and understanding for the circumstances faced by litigants.
Chief Justice Soumen Sen, who addressed the gathering during the farewell reference, spoke about Justice Dharmadikari’s contributions to the Kerala High Court. He described his tenure as substantial and noted that he dealt with a wide range of cases while sitting on both single benches and division benches. Chief Justice Sen observed that Justice Dharmadikari’s judgments demonstrated clarity of reasoning and a careful approach to legal interpretation. According to him, these qualities were reflected consistently in the decisions delivered during his tenure.
Chief Justice Sen also spoke about the broader responsibilities associated with the role of a judge within the constitutional framework. He observed that judicial decision-making requires maintaining a delicate balance between exercising authority and showing restraint. He remarked that Justice Dharmadikari demonstrated an understanding of this balance and approached his responsibilities with a sense of discipline and responsibility.
In addition to highlighting his judicial work, Chief Justice Sen commented on Justice Dharmadikari’s personal qualities. He described him as a judge known for his calm temperament, friendly nature, and clarity in communication. According to the Chief Justice, these attributes earned him the respect and goodwill of both his colleagues on the bench and members of the Bar during his time at the Kerala High Court.
Additional Advocate General Ashok M. Cherian also addressed the gathering and spoke about Justice Dharmadikari’s earlier professional career as an advocate before his appointment to the bench. He recalled that Justice Dharmadikari had undertaken important legal work while representing the Welfare Commissioner for victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. According to Cherian, his work in that capacity demonstrated his ability to combine legal expertise with a commitment to addressing issues involving public welfare and social justice.
Representing the Bar, the President of the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association, Peeyus A. Kottam, also paid tribute to Justice Dharmadikari during the farewell ceremony. He noted that although Justice Dharmadikari served in the Kerala High Court for a relatively short period, he succeeded in gaining the trust and respect of members of the Bar. Kottam observed that his approach to judicial work reflected fairness and careful consideration of legal arguments, which was appreciated by the legal community.
Kottam further stated that Justice Dharmadikari’s judgments and courtroom conduct demonstrated a commitment to impartiality and balanced decision-making. He remarked that the Bar valued the clarity and thoughtfulness reflected in his decisions and acknowledged the positive impact that his tenure had on the functioning of the Court.
Justice Dharmadikari’s professional journey includes a long period of legal practice before his elevation to the bench. He completed his graduation in commerce and law from Nagpur University and later enrolled as an advocate in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. During his legal career, he served as standing counsel for the Union of India and represented various government departments and institutions. Over the years, he built extensive experience in legal practice before being appointed as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 2016. He was subsequently appointed as a permanent judge in 2018.
In April 2025, Justice Dharmadikari was transferred to the Kerala High Court, where he took oath as a judge and began his tenure at the institution. During this period, he participated in the adjudication of numerous cases across different areas of law while serving on both single benches and division benches. His work during this time was acknowledged by members of the judiciary and the Bar during the farewell reference.
The farewell ceremony marked the conclusion of Justice Dharmadikari’s tenure at the Kerala High Court as he prepared to assume his new responsibilities as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. The event provided an opportunity for colleagues and members of the legal community to reflect on his contributions and recognize his role in the functioning of the Court during his time in Kerala. Through his remarks, Justice Dharmadikari reiterated that the central objective of the judiciary is to ensure that justice is delivered effectively while preserving public confidence in the legal system. He emphasized that the delivery of justice must combine efficiency with empathy so that the courts remain responsive to the needs of the people who seek their assistance.
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