Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia bids farewell, calls Supreme Court the ‘True Hindustan’

In a farewell ahead of his retirement on August 9, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia described the Apex Court as the “true Hindustan”,  a vibrant meeting ground of India’s diversity, culture, and legal thought. Addressing a ceremonial bench presided over by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, Justice Dhulia said what he would miss most was the daily sight of lawyers and litigants from every corner of the country presenting arguments before him.

Recounting a conversation with his wife that morning, Justice Dhulia said, “She asked me what I will miss the most. i said, Hindustan. By that, i mean you, the Bar. This is perhaps the only court where cases come from all states, all corners of the country. And that, i will miss the most.”

Justice Dhulia reflected on his judicial journey, noting that the diversity of legal arguments had broadened his perspective in ways he had never anticipated. Drawing from a literary analogy, he compared his experience to learning “to see the tree against the sky”,  a metaphor for gaining new ways of seeing legal and human issues through the arguments placed before him.

CJI Gavai praised Justice Dhulia’s sharp legal mind, patience, and deep grasp of complex constitutional issues, noting that his career, from the Uttarakhand High Court to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and finally the Supreme Court, reflected his dedication and adaptability. The CJI also recalled his love for literature and habit of sharing books, calling him “a source of wisdom for colleagues.”

Attorney General R. Venkataramani lauded his human-centric approach to justice, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted his impartiality, respect for the Bar, and passion for Urdu literature and ghazals. SCAORA President Vipin Nair and ASG Aishwarya Bhati praised his ability to blend historical understanding with contemporary legal needs.

Justice Dhulia’s notable opinions include his dissent in the Karnataka hijab case, where he stressed that education should not be denied for wearing a headscarf. His recent rulings affirmed Urdu as an integral Indian language and directed the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar, ration, and voter cards in the Bihar SIR process.

A Garhwal native, Justice Dhulia began his career at the Allahabad High Court in civil and constitutional practice, later shifting to Uttarakhand. Appointed to the Uttarakhand High Court in 2008, he rose to become Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2021 before his elevation to the Supreme Court in May 2022.

As the ceremonial bench concluded, his words lingered, a reminder that for Justice Dhulia, the Supreme Court was more than a court of law, it was the living embodiment of India itself.