Legal Profession Appears To Be Settled Career But Success Here No Cakewalk: Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta Bids Farewell To Delhi HC

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta on Wednesday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court, saying that legal profession seems to be a settled career without much toil but success in the field is not a cakewalk.

Reminiscing his early life in the profession, the judge said that his foray into the legal profession happened as a backup for his “failed attempt” to become a medico doctor.

“Law initially seemed to be a gateway to a settled career without much toil, and appeared reasonably attractive for a rejected medico. However, little did I know that the route to success in the legal arena is not a cakewalk either. The journey has been tough and demanding for a first generation lawyer like me, without any legal background,” he said.

Justice Mendiratta was inducted into the Delhi Judicial Service in 1992 and was promoted to Delhi Higher Judicial Service in 2003. He served as District & Sessions Judge of North-East District from May 2019 to October 2019.

He was appointed as Joint Secretary (Law, Justice & Legislative Affairs) of Delhi Government from 1999 to 2002 and again as Principal Secretary (Law, Justice & Legislative Affairs) of Delhi Government from November 2017 till April 2019.

He was later appointed as Law Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Justice Mendiratta was appointed a permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court w.e.f. February 28, 2022.

In his farewell speech, the judge said that he had an incredible journey spanning over a period of 32 years as a judge, including the period of three years in the Delhi High Court.

“One that I can reflect upon with immense pride and deep appreciation for having the privilege to serve the most prestigious and premium institution of this country. I am thankful to the Almighty for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” he said.

The judge said that the most memorable moments of his life have been whenever he has been able to bring a smile on the face of a litigant who had been embroiled in a long drawn litigation.

“As a trial court judge, since you get an opportunity to interact with the litigants directly, I had several such moments to cherish. Zindagi ke khoobsurat lamhe sirf mehsoos kiye jaate hain, kaid nahi,” the judge said.

Justice Mendiratta said that life has no shortcuts and that one can learn soft and hard skills for surviving in any profession that one chooses. Shunya se bahumulya hone tak ka safar angeenat thokaro se hokar guzarta hain, he said.

Further, he said that he learned his first lesson of profession- you have a right to perform your duty only, but never let the fruits of action be your moto. He said that over a period of time, he realized that the sermon is true in the context of litigation, since the outcome is dependent on the facts of the case, the capability of the lawyer who makes the presentation, and the capability to appreciate the case.

“The aspiration for shifting my barrels from bar to the bench was the turning point in my life. I earned a reputation of a tough judge, as I never failed to participate in recording of evidence to elicit the truth. The judgeship of district courts exposed me to a vast palette of legal issues and suffused me with heavenly feeling of professional society,” he said.

Furthermore, recalling his life in the executive space, Justice Mendiratta said that the onward and upward journey of his life continued with an early opportunity for being chosen as Joint Secretary of Law with the Delhi government in 1999.

He said that the exposure and lessons learned while dealing with bureaucracy and being involved in the law making process in advisory capacity was invaluable to him.

On being appointed as Law Secretary with the Delhi Government, he said: “It was a window for observing and absorbing the functioning of the government from close quarters for the second time. The tenure was full of challenges owing to political differences between the central and state government. Earlier secretaries, prior to my posting, had already chosen to return back to the parent department within few months of their posting. I had to face extreme political challenges, as well as the grim situation which followed pursuant to an alleged assault on the then Chief Secretary of Government of NCT of Delhi.”

He further said that his appointment to the post of law secretary to the Union of India opened up a Pandora's box full of issues of gigantic proportions at the national and international level.

“I have always believed that though the targets for disposal are set for the judicial officers, but the efficiency of a judge cannot be solely assessed on the number of judgements pronounced. Justice in several cases needs appropriate allocation of time and a sole assessment of a trial court judge on the basis of the number of judgements constrains him to adjourn the cases involving complex questions of law,” he said while recalling his life as a judicial officer.

He added: “As such, several deserving cases requiring intervention keep on lingering in the system. I have been vocally taking up the issues of the service judges, since the pain in the eyes of any competent officer has always moved me to take up his cause before the full court…..I hope and believe that the issues relating to the district judiciary shall be looked into with more compassion to avoid any injustice in deserving cases.”

Justice Mendiratta concluded by saying: “I step away from my present duties with a sense of fulfilment and pride and thank the Almighty God for providing me the opportunity to serve as a judge of this institution. Abhimaan is baat par nahi ki aapne kisi ka sahyog kiya balki swabhimaan is par ho ki ishwar ne apko kisi ki madad ke yogya banaya.”