November 30,2018:
On Thursday, Member of Bar bid adieu to retiring Justice Kurian Joseph, by terming him as one of the most "popular" judges in recent times with a "pleasant smile".
They urged CJI Ranjan Gogoi to replace him with a Judge having a similar smile.
Justice Joseph, who was the Third Senior-most judge was elevated to Supreme Court on March 8, 2013.
On Thursday, he was sitting in a crowded courtroom along with the CJI Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul in the morning when Lawyers showered praises and wishes when the special bench was about to rise.
CJI Gogoi, while issuing notice on a petition, stated that,"Today, I will not disagree with with my brother (Justice Joseph)."
Shortly after that, Senior Advocate and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh rose to bid farewell Justice Joseph and stated that,"Bar wishes farewell to one of the most popular judges".
Attorney General KK Venugopal praised Justice Kurian Joseph by stating that,"We are going to miss Your Lordship's smile".
Former Attorney General and Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi joined in praising Justice Joseph and stated that,"I urge the Chief Justice to replace him with a judge who has same pleasant smile".
To this, Justice Joseph replied that, "Life is worthwhile with a smile. If you smile, others smile at you and there is a mile of smile and all because life is worth a smile."
He then left the courtroom with the CJI Gogoi and Justice Kaul.
Justice Kurian Joseph had assumed office as a Judge in the Kerala High Court on July 12, 2000 and served as the Acting Chief Justice of Kerala High Court twice.
He was later appointed as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court on February 8, 2010 and was then subsequently elevated to Supreme Court on March 8, 2013.
Source TOI
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