Judicial Institution May Evolve But Its Integrity And Independence Must Remain Constant: Justice Vibhu Bakhru Bids Farewell To Delhi High Court

Justice Vibhu Bakhru on Wednesday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court on his elevation as the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.

In his farewell speech, Justice Bakhru said that the judicial institution evolves but the integrity, empathy and independence, which is its core, must remain constant.

“The institution evolves, but at its core, integrity, independence and empathy must remain constant. I have tried, in my own ways, to live these ideas. I leave this court with many lessons and memories. I know I have not always been right, but I've always tried to act in good faith, with fairness to the Constitution of India. The robes may be heavy, but it is the weight of trust, and I have cherished the honor of wearing them,” he said.

Justice Bakhru added that in his courtroom, he has seen “entire spectrum of human conflict and resilience, for each case is not just a file, but a life, often fragile and always deserving.”

Justice Bakhru graduated from the Delhi University in 1987, after completing B.Com (Hon). He cleared his final examination for Chartered Accountancy in 1989. He completed his law in 1990.

The judge was designated as Senior Advocate by Delhi High Court in July, 2011. He was appointed as Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in April 2013 and was made permanent on March 18, 2015. He also served as the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court from December 05, 2024 to January 21, 2025.

In his farewell address, Justice Bakhru said that he finished his CA in the first attempt, which was a big thing then.

“I think it's still a big thing now. The joke going around is that an air hostess never seats a CA next to an emergency exit. If necessity comes, it has to be opened in the first attempt,” he said.

The judge added that when he first stepped into the Delhi High Court corridors as a young lawyer, he could not have imagined the path ahead.

“I never filed in this court or any other initially, I got briefs to draft petitions, then to brief seniors in draft submissions, then as a second counsel, to senior counsels, and finally, to argue matters independently. I also had the honor of being designated as a Senior Advocate,” he said.

Justice Bakhru lamented that even though one may have practiced law for more than two decades, it does not prepare you to think like a judge.

Remembering the judges he had the opportunity to share benches with, Justice Bakhru said that he owe a debt of deep gratitude to the Delhi High Court as it has shaped him as a lawyer, a judge and as a person.

“Over the decades, I have witnessed this court grow in stature, embracing complex matters and evolving jurisprudence, staying responsive to the changing fabric of the society, while holding tight the rule of law. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Delhi,” he said.

Justice Bakhru thanked his fellow judges, his court staff, court masters, law researchers and especially his family members- wife and children, for their constant support.

“Delhi, High Court will always hold a special place in my heart. To leave is to carry a part of this place with me, its values, its people, its legacy. May this court continue to shine as a beacon of Justice. Thank you. Jai Hind,” the judge added.