Senior Advt Wilson mp / I have introduced a Private Member Bill seeking to enhance the retirement age of Hon’ble Supreme Court Judges from 65 to 70 years, and that of Hon’ble High Court Judges from 62 to 65 years, and also the regional benches of the Supreme Court. I respectfully request all of your support for these important initiatives, which, in my humble view, would help strengthen the

Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant,
Hon’ble Justice Pankaj Mithal, Hon’ble Justice Augustine George Madhya, Hon’ble Justice Prasanna B Varale, Hon’ble Justice Sheel Nagu, Hon’ble Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Hon’ble Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Hon’ble Justice Arun Palli, and Hon’ble Justice V. Mohana, All India Senior Advocates Association Secretary General Mr Adish Agarwala, Mr Vivenk Tanka, Member of Parliament and Vice President All India Senior Advocates Association, Senior Advocates, and distinguished members of the Bench, my colleagues from the Bar, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
It is truly a privilege to stand before this august gathering on behalf of the All India Senior Advocates Association to felicitate an extraordinary group of judges – some who have completed long and distinguished judicial careers, and some who have now assumed the highest constitutional responsibility in our country.
The relationship between the Bench and the Bar is unlike any other. We may stand on opposite sides in a courtroom. Still, we are always on the same side in the cause of dispensation of justice and uphold the rule of law, dignity and decorum of the institution so that majesty is not compromised. Every lawyer carries with him memories of judges who shaped his understanding of the law – not merely through judgments, but through patience, courtesy, and fairness in court.
Today is one such occasion to express our gratitude.
Hon’ble Justice Pankaj Mithal, Your Lordship, comes from a family with a rich legal tradition. Yet, every generation must earn its own reputation, and your Lordship certainly has. From Allahabad to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to Rajasthan, and finally to the Supreme Court, you have carried with you immense administrative experience and judicial wisdom.

Justice Mithal never raised his voice in court, but his questions always reached the heart of the matter. That ability to simplify complex disputes is a hallmark of your Lordship’s judicial excellence.
Hon’ble Justice Sheel Nagu, your Lordship represents decades of dedicated service to the judiciary, from the Madhya Pradesh High Court to the post of Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Your extraordinary command over both facts and law is inspiring.
One thing I would like to tell the members of the bar is, “If you think you could avoid a difficult precedent before Justice Nagu, he would remind you of it before you even opened the paper book.” That speaks volumes about your Lordship’s scholarship and preparation.
Your lordship’s elevation enriches the Supreme Court with your vast experience in constitutional and civil law.
Hon’ble Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, your judicial journey across Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Bombay reflects remarkable versatility. Your Lordship has dealt with an extraordinary range of cases and earned immense respect across different High Courts.
Justice Chandrashekhar always ensured that even the youngest lawyer got a complete hearing. That quality of listening is perhaps one of the greatest judicial virtues. Justice is not only done through judgments – it is also done by making every litigant feel heard.
Hon’ble Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, your Lordship’s roots in Delhi’s legal fraternity are well known. Having practised extensively before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, you have always understood both sides of the courtroom. Hence, your elevation to the Delhi High Court and later as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, which benefited the bar, will certainly carry the rich experience to the Supreme Court, the art of handling the courtroom, as even during the most heated arguments, Justice Sachdeva’s courtroom never lost its calm and dignity. That balance of firmness and courtesy is something every court aspires to.
Hon’ble Justice Arun Paalli, your Lordship belongs to a distinguished legal family, but your own achievements stand entirely on their own merit. Your work in the Punjab & Haryana High Court and later as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh reflects administrative ability coupled with judicial sensitivity.
Your courtroom was one where lawyers felt comfortable because they knew they would receive a patient hearing. In today’s demanding judicial environment, patience is itself a great judicial virtue.
And now, if I may, let me come to someone from my own State.
Hon’ble Justice V. Mohana, it gives me immense pride, as a fellow Tamilian, to welcome Your Ladyship to the Supreme Court of India. You were felicitated by all the Major Associations in Chennai last week.
Your Ladyship’s journey from Pollachi to the Supreme Court is inspirational – not only because you are a first-generation lawyer, but because every milestone was earned through sheer ability and relentless hard work.
I have personally had the privilege of watching your Ladyship argue before the Supreme Court on numerous occasions. Those of us who appeared in court during those years remember your remarkable preparation, clarity of thought, and fearless advocacy, all with a smile. Whether the matter involved constitutional principles, commercial disputes, or questions affecting public rights, your Ladyship argued with conviction, precision, and remarkable grace.
Your direct elevation from the Bar to the Supreme Court is not merely a personal achievement; it is an inspiration to thousands of young lawyers across India, particularly young women and first-generation advocates, who now know that excellence alone can take them to the highest court of the land.
We are immensely proud that Tamil Nadu has produced yet another distinguished judge for the Supreme Court.
As we felicitate those retiring from judicial office, we also warmly welcome the newly elevated judges to the Supreme Court.
The strength of the Supreme Court lies not merely in the brilliance of individual judges but in the diversity of experiences they collectively bring. Today, judges from Punjab and Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and the Supreme Court Bar itself come together to serve one institution and one Constitution. That diversity enriches our constitutional democracy.
Further, I wanted to bring to your lordships’ attention that I have introduced a Private Member Bill seeking to enhance the retirement age of Hon’ble Supreme Court Judges from 65 to 70 years, and that of Hon’ble High Court Judges from 62 to 65 years, and also the regional benches of the Supreme Court. I respectfully request all of your support for these important initiatives, which, in my humble view, would help strengthen the administration of justice and improve the efficiency of our judicial system.
Whether Parliament can bring in reservations for women or not, our Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has successfully implemented a 30% reservation for women in the Bar Council through elections, under which 7 of the 25 members of the Bar Council will be women. It’s a remarkable step and milestone in the legal profession.
I would also like to share that there is a growing trend of untoward incidents on court premises, where litigants or individuals have, on occasion, made inappropriate and objectionable remarks inside the courtroom, which the All-India Senior Advocates Association condemns. I believe the time has come for the Hon’ble Supreme Court, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and the companion Judges, to consider appropriate institutional measures to prevent such incidents.
The dignity and sanctity of the Hon’ble Supreme Court are paramount. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. At the same time, where individuals deliberately engage in conduct that undermines the authority or decorum of the Court despite adequate safeguards, appropriate action in accordance with law should be taken to preserve the majesty of this great institution.
On behalf of the All India Senior Advocates Association, I offer our heartfelt gratitude to every one of Your Lordships and Your Ladyship.
I thank Mr Adish Agarwala, our Secretary General, for organising this great event.
Thank you very much.