Young Bar Members' Commitment Assures That Future Of Judiciary Is In Capable Hands: Justice Biren Vaishnav Bids Farewell To Gujarat High Court

"This institution has taught me...that independence, integrity and inspiration are hallmarks of an institution to stand out. If the institution is what it is please nurture it and let these hallmarks be roadmap to take it further," said Justice Biren Vaishnav as he bid farewell to Gujarat High Court on Wednesday after completing his nine-year stint as a judge.

Justice Vaishnav, who was elevated as a judge of the High Court in 2016 and held office till May 21, in his farewell speech said:

"Let us make a pledge that we will never fail this institution. We all have a collective responsibility the bar and the bench to serve the people of this country without fear or favour or ill will by upholding the Constitution and the laws...Thank you all for walking this path with me. May justice continue to shine brightly in these halls. Chalte Chalte mere ye alfaaz yaad rakhna, kabhi alvida na kehna". 

Reflecting on his career beginning as an advocate Justice Vaishnav acknowledged the contribution of the people who shaped his career. He began by thanking his first "hand-holder" Shri PV Hathi in whose's office the judge worked in the initial part of his career. 

"He nurtured me for four years when I quit his office for independent practice by writing a simple note, leaving on his table for him to see later because I was in awe of his personality," he said. 

With respect to the time when he was elevated to the bench Justice Vaishnav said:

"My journey began with Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri who insisted I read all matters which actually helped me in my later times. Justice Akil Kureshi, Justice Harsha Devani, Justice MR Shah and Justice Abhilasha Kumari as later guides who held my hand into unknown corridors of law". 

He thereafter thanked Justice Anant Dave calling him the "Krishna to the Arjun" that Justice Vaishnav said that he tried to be. Justice Vaishnav thereafter thanked the various judges of the high court with whom he shared a division bench stating that they made his journey smooth. 

Justice Vaishnav further thanked Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal for assigning him to deal with matters under family court's act, stating that this roster made him aware of family limitations and challenges. 

"This roster along with my duties as executive chairman of Gujarat State Legal Services Authority made me see the humane side of conflicts which judges have to resolve. These nine years as a judge have been challenging. The ride has been smooth at times and bumpy too on many occasions. To the senior advocates I owe a debt of respect...your erudition, wisdom and clarity have enriched the discourse and often provided me with a perspective that illuminated the path to justice," he said. 

On the younger members of the bar, Justice Vaishnav said that they "truly honoured" the court with their "enthusiasm, sincerity and faith in the institution".

"You have been lifeblood of daily proceedings. And your commitment to the rule of law re-assures me that future of our judiciary is in capable hands," he said. 

The judge thanked his parents, his wife as well as his children as well as his staff members for their support. He further thanked the support he got from the various members of the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority of which Justice Vaishnav was executive chairman stating that the members stood by him as soldiers. 

He said, "It has been an education in human psychology to be humane, to reach out to the needy". 

The judge further thanked the Chief Justice for the trust she reposed in him, stating that in her tenure he got the opportunity to head the high court, which came for "adverse personal reasons that she faced but she supported him with a smiling face". 

The ceremony was attended by Advocate General for the State Kamla Trivedi, Government Pleader GH Virk, senior members of the bar, advocates, court staff as well as Justice Vaishnav's family members. 

Born on May 22, 1963 at New Delhi the judge completed B.A.(Economics) from Ahmedabad's St. Xavier's College. He went to pursue  L.L.B from Sir L.A Shah, Law College. He became enrolled as an Advocate with Bar Council of Gujarat on in 1987 and appeared in several civil and criminal matters.

From 1991 to 1995, Justice Vaishnav appeared for the Gujarat Government in matters related to Government Employees. From 1995 he began his independent practice. He was on the panel of the Gujarat Land Development Corporation, Gujarat Public Service Commission, Gujarat Pollution Control Board etc. and was also the Standing Counsel of the Election Commission of India from 1999 to 2016.

He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court on April 6, 2016 and was confirmed as permanent Judge on March 15, 2018.