Justice Arun Monga, Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju Bid Farewell To Delhi High Court

Justice Arun Monga and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju on Monday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court, following their transfer to Rajasthan and Karnataka High Courts respectively.

Justice Ganju had sworn in as Delhi High Court judge on May 18, 2022. Her name was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium in the year 2020, followed by reiteration.

On the other hand, Justice Monga had sworn in as Delhi High Court judge on July 21. Before that, he was serving as a judge at the Rajasthan High Court. He originally hails from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. 

In his address, Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya said that Justice Monga is known as a “relief giving judge” and has been appreciated by members of the bar on the criminal side in his short tenure.

CJ said that he is confident that Justice Monga will perform his functions with the same commitment at the Rajasthan High Court.

“Justice Monga is known to be an avid sportsperson and a nature enthusiast. I am hopeful that he will enjoy there (Rajasthan High Court). Transfers are part of the job. I am confident that Justice Monga would always uphold the spirit of the game,” CJ said.

Regarding Justice Ganju, CJ Upadhyaya said that she is known for her commitment to speedy disposal of cases and that he is confident that her stint at the Karnataka High Court would be wholesome in a lot of ways.

CJ said that the transfer will be an opportunity for Justice Ganju to witness a different litigation and different litigants in a different cultural setup.

“I am confident that their presence (at the High Courts) would be significant value addition to the High Courts. Justice Monga and Justice Ganju have a long career and I convey my best wishes to them on their journey on the path of justice,” he said.

In his farewell speech, Justice Monga said that he owes it to the Delhi High Court Bar for being his adoptive parent and thanked the Bar for adopting him as one of its own when he first moved to the national capital to begin his journey as a lawyer.

Justice Monga said that it is rightly said that a judge must not speak in public and that his judgments must speak for him. He added that a judge's true voice is not in speeches or appearances, but in the reasoning, restraint and reflection left behind in his judgments.

“Those words, once written, become our quiet conversation with the law and with those who follow it. The same principle applies to the bar, though in a different way. When the bar speaks of a judge, it should also speak through his judgments and of his judgments,” he said.

The judge added that within every judgment lies more than text as it carries the conviction of a judge, his sense of fairness, his understanding of human nature and his reflections on life.

“When I came to the bench of this court, I came as one of your own, and as I leave, I leave one of your own. That does not end with the transfer. It only deepens with time and memory,” the judge said.

“As I take leave of this court and move to another, I carry with me memories, memories of spirited arguments, gentle humor, moments of reflection and the satisfaction that comes from the pursuit of justice together, both as a bar and bench the courtroom, courtrooms may change. The surroundings may differ, but the ideals we serve, fairness, dignity and justice, they shall remain constant. If in the days to come you read any of my judgments and they provoke thought, debate or even a dissent, I shall take comfort in knowing that my words continue to speak for that, ultimately, is all a judge can hope for,” he added.

Justice Ganju, in her farewell address, said that while change is an inseparable part of a judge's life, yet some transitions are harder than others. She added that saying goodbye to the Delhi High Court, a place that shaped not only her career but her very understanding of justice, stirs deep emotions.

“The intervening years have been a continuous process of learning from mentors who guided me, colleagues who inspired me, and even the adversaries who challenged me. When I was called to the bench, I realized how much this institution had shaped my understanding of the law and justice itself. Truly, this Court has taught me all that I know about the law, about fairness, about the profound responsibility that comes with judging others. It has been my greatest teacher,” Justice Ganju said.

She thanked every lawyer who appeared before her, whether seasoned or young, for the assistance and courtesy and sincerity. She said that if she was ever firm in her Court, it was only in the larger interest of maintaining decorum and discipline that the noble institution demands.

“The judiciary, in my view, is not a mere arbiter of disputes, but also a guardian of constitutional promise. Promise of liberty, equality and justice for all. It is our solemn duty to ensure that the law remains the shield for the weak and not a sword for the powerful. The confidence of the people in this institution is its greatest strength, and that confidence must be preserved through integrity, independence and transparency,” she said.

To the younger members of the bar, Justice Ganju suggested them to cultivate discipline, humility and patience. She said that is true measure of an advocate is not the number of cases argued, but the fairness and dignity with which they are conducted.

Thanking the Registry and her staff for their contributions, Justice Ganju said:

“I am conscious that working late into the night or over weekends has at times invited criticism or misunderstanding, yet I have never regarded diligence as a fault. The demands of justice do not always keep to the clock, and our foremost duty must remain to the nation and to the litigants who seek relief from us. Personal comfort or even the prospect of disapproval, cannot outweigh the obligation we owe to the cause of justice.”

“As I prepare to take up my new assignments, I carry with me the lessons and memories of this courts, its discipline, its intellectual vibrancy and above all, its unwavering commitment to justice. My years here have been amongst the most fulfilling of my judicial journey. I hope to continue serving the cause of justice in the same spirit and with the same devotion that this Court embodies. Thank you all for your affection and goodwill. I wish this court and everyone associated with it continued strength and excellence. Every ending carries the promise of return. It is not a goodbye, a pause, not a conclusion. Until we see each other again,” she said.