'Calcutta Bar Bodies Have Right To Express Dissent, I Don't Carry Anything In My Heart': Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma Bids Farewell To Delhi HC

While bidding farewell to the Delhi High Court on Friday on his transfer to Calcutta High Court, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said that the bar associations in Calcutta have the right to express their dissent and that he does not carry anything in his heart.

“I respect the dissent shown by the bar associations of Kolkata. They have their right to express their dissent, and I duly respect and I don't carry anything in my heart and I fully respect whatever they hold,” the judge said.

Various bar associations in Calcutta had refused to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma. Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam had then written a letter to the lawyers asking them to reconsider their decision.

Justice Sharma was elevated to the Delhi High Court in 2022. He earlier served as the Principal District and Sessions Judge at Patiala House Courts, New Delhi district. He had also served as Registrar General of the Delhi High Court from May 01, 2017 to January 6, 2020.

In his farewell speech, Justice Sharma said that transitions are an inevitable part of every journey, which makes one pause, not just to look ahead, but also to reflect with humility and gratitude and with a deep sense of connection.

“This is one such moment for me, as I stand here today preparing to take up new responsibilities at the Calcutta High Court, I feel it find it difficult to express the range of emotions I feel. It's a moment filled with profound reflection and sincere gratitude,” he said.

The judge said that his initial years in the judiciary gave him the real insight of courts. Justice Sharma said that he learnt that justice is not simply about pronouncing orders, it is more about listening. Not just hearing, but truly listening to the stories, struggles and silence of those who come before us, whether it was a tenant facing eviction or a victim seeking dignity, he said.

Justice Sharma said that his elevation to the Delhi High Court has been deeply rewarding as he had the opportunity to deal with wide variety of matters- criminal, civil, original side, labour and matrimonial cases.

“I had the opportunity to learn all the from the Constitution law to commercial disputes, from criminal law to family jurisprudence through. Through each of these. I was constantly reminded of the immense trust that citizens place in the judiciary. It is a trust we must never take for granted. It is what makes our role not just important but sacred,” he said.

The judge further added that the role of a judge is not merely to apply the law, it is to apply it with conscious with clarity and with compassion.

“Law in its best form, is a bridge between power and people, between rights and remedy, between conflict and resolution, and it is our duty to keep that bridge strong and steady,” he said.

Justice Sharma also gave a message to the young advocates to be fearless, curious and to never loose sight of why they choose such a noble profession. He also asked them to always be humble and be courteous.

“Always remember your perseverance will shape the future of the judiciary,” he said.