Justice Dharmesh Sharma Who Conducted Unnao Rape Case Trial Retires From Delhi High Court

Recalling his “challenging times” in the district judiciary, Justice Dharmesh Sharma on Friday bid farewell to the Delhi High Court with a “deep sense of satisfaction.”

Justice Sharma joined the Delhi Judicial Services in 1992. He was appointed as Principal District & Sessions Judge, West District in 2019. Before his elevation to the High Court, he was posted as Principal District & Sessions Judge, New Delhi District. He was administered oath as an Additional Judge of the High Court on May 17, 2023.

The judge began his farewell speech with the words “Namaskar. Good afternoon. Assalamualaikum and sat sri akal.” He said that it has always been his opening note because he believes in “total secularism” and values that he has imbibed from his forefathers.

“As I stand before you today, I'm filled with mix of emotions, happiness, gratitude and hint of sadness. After 33 years of incredible years of serving the judiciary, I'm bidding farewell to this chapter of my life,” he said.

Recalling his childhood and impressionable years, the judge remembered his grandmother. He said that she was a highly educated woman with MA in Hindi and that her legacy continues to inspire him till date.

“As a child I was deeply inspired by my maternal grandfather. He was a freedom fighter and a member who bravely participated in the so called Kakori conspiracy. After he was arrested, he endured six months of rigorous imprisonment,” the judge said, adding that the experiences of his maternal grandfather in jail instilled in him a profound love for the nation.

“…he taught me to appreciate the immense sacrifices made by the countless unsung heroes and their families in the pursuit of India's freedom struggle,” the judge added.

Justice Sharma also said that his mother has been his greatest inspiration and guiding force, who instilled in him the valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of humanity, self reliance and being a supported family member.

He said that he has experienced almost all jurisdictions, but enjoyed working the most as an extradition judge, handling rent controller cases, in the Motor vehicle claim terminal and as a CBI judge.

“As a first generation judge is also a difficult task. But then I was groomed for the role of a judge by my seniors and peers, all of whom I would be utterly, utterly grateful,” he said.

Justice Sharma specially thanked Justice Madan B Lokur and his efforts in transforming the district judiciary- evolution of e-courts, mediation movement and facilitation centres. He said that Justice Lokur's vision was to improve the infrastructure and quality and so many other aspects of district judiciary.

“I also have a deep sense of gratitude to Justice Vipin Sanghi, Justice GS Sistani and Dr. S mulidhar who showed faith in me during my really challenging times…..Additionally, I'm also thankful to Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul who recognized my competence for the role of high court judge and cleared all doubts about the things that were being said against me,” he said.

For context, the Unnao rape and murder case was transferred by the Supreme Court to Justice Sharma, when he was posted as a district judge. Justice Sharma had held former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar guilty of raping the minor and awarded him life imprisonment.

“I am proud of my journey. Yes, I am proud, because I have worn multiple hats. I've done so much, even I have lost track of the things that have been done. But because I have been associated with many, many great justices and other persons,” he said.

“I have risen from the grassroots level, where I've had the privilege of interacting with the people from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have faced, you know, significant challenges,” the judge added.

Ending his speech, Justice Sharma said that he has a deep sense of satisfaction and that he has had the opportunity to preside over a wide range of cases, including writ, taxation, Customs, Service, company law, banks, financial institutions, civil and criminal matters.

“Judicial service is filled with talented individuals who deserve nurturing and encouragement. As I step aside today, I may be using a cliche but it is apt to say that the bar is the teacher of judges and the bar is the judge of the judges. For me, as a first generation lawyer, this statement rings especially true,” he said.

“When I first took on my judicial role, I was relatively unexperienced. Whatever knowledge I have gained over the years is largely due to the exceptional assistance that I have received from members of the bar. If I were to name the esteemed lawyers who appeared before me and whose expertise has shaped some of my notable judgments, it would take all the day, but then there were so many and I'm thankful to them,” he added.

In conclusion, Justice Sharma acknowledged that his tenure at the High Court has been relatively brief and that he wished if he could have done more and handled some situations more “delicately and effectively or sensitively.”

“However as a human being, I am prone to imperfections, so if in the process, I have unintentionally hurt anyone's feeling. I seek understanding and forgiveness,” he said.

He also thanked his personal security officers, who have been with him since 2019 when the Unnao rape case was assigned to him by the Supreme Court, because of certain threats.

He said that he wanted to learn playing some musical instrument and that he was playing snooker these days and will be giving some tough competition in golf to the fellow judges.

“In the near future, I have something in mind about public interest, welfare issues, and in all honesty, I can say that I would be joining the legal profession and mostly handling Legal Aid matters. So may the God be with all of us. Thank you very much for the love and affection that you have showed upon me,” he said.