'Real Efficacy & Integrity Of Judicial System Measured By Public Faith It Enjoys': Justice DK Singh Bids Farewell To Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (July 16) held a farewell reference to bid adieu to Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, who now proceeds to assume office at the Karnataka High Court.

Reflecting on his professional journey during the ceremony, Justice Singh remarked,

“Every case and argument added not only to my understanding of law but also of human nature. The real efficacy and credibility of the judicial system are measured by the public faith it enjoys. I cannot say whether I have succeeded in achieving the same. But I can say with certainty that I have felt a great sense of satisfaction in serving the cause of justice to the best of my ability.”

He also expressed deep gratitude for the support and warmth he received during his tenure in Kerala.

Recalling the spiritual and cultural heritage of the state — from Adi Shankaracharya to Sree Narayana Guru — he remarked, “Kerala, often referred to as God's own country, has left an indelible mark in my heart. Its serene backwaters, vibrant culture, and warm people will always be remembered.”

He concluded saying, “I will carry the lessons learned and experienced in my future endeavours.”

Justice Singh did his Bachelor's of Degree in Law from Allahabad University and LLM from Delhi University. He set up his legal practice in Allahabad High Court till 1997 and thereafter in the Supreme Court from 1998. His area of expertise included Constitutional, Administrative, Civil, Taxation, Arbitration and Criminal law. He was appointed as an Additional Advocate General for the State of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand and was also appointed as a Senior Panel Counsel for India. He was later elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on 22/09/2017. He took oath as Permanent Judge on 06/09/2019 and was transferred to Kerala High Court on 21/07/2023.

Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar said Justice Singh's tenure in Kerala was marked by fairness, impartiality, and courage. Since assuming office in Kerala, Justice Singh had presided over numerous matters, authoring judgments that reflected a deep understanding of the law, balanced reasoning, and a profound sense of justice, he said.

Justice Singh's rulings, including the clarification that maintenance tribunals do not have the power to issue injunctions, and that private partnerships in vehicle scrapping facilities are permissible under the law, demonstrated his nuanced and progressive approach to legal interpretation, the CJ said.

He also applauded Justice Singh's ability to grasp complex legal issues swiftly, interact meaningfully with the Bar, and deliver prompt and well-reasoned judgments. “He possesses all the core values foundational to our legal system,” Justice Jamdar said.

Advocate General of Kerala, Gopalakrishna Kurup, the Deputy Solicitor General, senior members of the Bar, members of the Registry, and several legal luminaries were also present in the ceremony.

In his address, Advocate General Kurup reflected on the distinguished journey of Justice D. K. Singh. He remarked, “Today I stand with a tinge of bittersweet emotion as we bid farewell to a distinguished luminary of our judicial fraternity. Though his tenure in the High Court of Kerala was relatively brief, Justice Singh has left an ineffaceable imprint on both the Bar and the Bench.”

He praised Justice Singh's indifference to materialistic pursuits and noted that he had always approached his work with utmost honesty, integrity, and diligence. Quoting Justice Singh's own words at a legal fraternity gathering — “Being a lawyer is a very big thing... These external things make no difference in this profession...” — the Advocate General emphasized how Justice Singh's ethos exemplified the ideal of service over status.

Justice Singh's work at the Allahabad High Court, especially in combating organized crime, was also acknowledged. “His unwavering commitment to justice and rule of law, his decisiveness, clarity of thought, and sense of fairness have equally defined his judicial tenure in Kerala,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Bar, President of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association, Yeshwanth Shenoy lauded Justice Singh as a jurist of “remarkable intellect and unwavering commitment”. He reflected on Justice Singh's distinguished practice at the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court, as well as his consistent display of boldness, independence, and judicial clarity during his tenure in Kerala.

“Your judgments have consistently reflected your deep commitment to justice and fairness. You navigated complex legal questions with clarity and compassion,” he noted. Shenoy further expressed confidence that the Karnataka High Court would benefit immensely from Justice Singh's wisdom and judicial acumen. “Transitions like this enrich our judiciary and serve the broader purpose of a dynamic and robust legal system,” he concluded.