The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday organised a formal felicitation ceremony to honour newly appointed Supreme Court Judges Justice Sunita Agarwal, former Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, former Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, marking their elevation to the country’s highest constitutional court.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, while addressing the gathering, commended the judicial acumen, administrative capabilities and institutional experience of the two judges, observing that their induction would considerably enrich the Supreme Court Bench. He highlighted their distinguished tenures at the helm of two prominent High Courts, noting that their experience in steering High Court administrations would bring valuable perspectives to the apex court.
Emphasising the indispensable role of an independent and assertive Bar in sustaining the vitality of the judicial institution, the CJI observed that a robust judiciary could function effectively only when supported, questioned and constructively challenged by an intellectually equipped and fearless legal fraternity. He underscored that the strength of the Bench is intrinsically linked to the independence, professional integrity and institutional commitment of the Bar.
CJI Surya Kant also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that administrative reforms and technological interventions within the Supreme Court premises are undertaken through meaningful consultation with the Bar. He maintained that institutional modernisation must remain participatory and responsive to the practical requirements of advocates, with the objective of creating a more efficient, transparent and technologically advanced working environment.
In her address, Justice Sunita Agarwal acknowledged the gravity of the responsibility accompanying her elevation to the Supreme Court, describing the transition to the country’s highest judicial forum as a significant institutional responsibility.
Reflecting on her tenure as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, she emphasised the importance of administrative efficiency and systemic reforms within the judicial establishment. She indicated that delays in judicial administration have consequences extending beyond institutional functioning, often affecting litigants and their access to timely justice. Minimising such human costs through improved structural efficiency, she said, would remain an important consideration in her judicial approach.
Justice Agarwal also expressed her commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal practitioners, emphasising the need to create an enabling institutional environment in which young members of the Bar receive adequate encouragement, opportunities and support.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, in his acceptance address, reflected on his extensive judicial journey across the Jharkhand, Tripura and Telangana High Courts, acknowledging the diverse institutional experiences that had shaped his understanding of the judicial office.
Reaffirming his commitment to the constitutional oath, Justice Singh underscored that judicial responsibilities must be discharged without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. He indicated that the principles which guided his functioning in the High Courts would continue to inform his approach at the Supreme Court.
He also emphasised the importance of patience in hearing counsel, maintaining courtroom discipline and ensuring an atmosphere conducive to effective adjudication. Stressing his commitment to the constitutional ethos, he reiterated the importance of safeguarding India’s sovereignty, constitutional integrity and the foundational principles underpinning the judicial institution.
SCBA President Pradeep Rai, while addressing the felicitation ceremony, extended the Association’s support to the newly elevated judges and emphasised the solidarity of the legal fraternity with the institution of the judiciary.
Stressing the importance of institutional cohesion between the Bench and the Bar, Rai assured the judges that the legal fraternity stood firmly behind them in the discharge of their judicial and administrative responsibilities.SCBA President stated “We all are here with the full strength firmly standing with the institution,”conveying that the judges could count on the collective support of the Bar in their institutional endeavours.He added that he has always pushed for the interests of the bar and never sought favour.
Rai also commended the extensive judicial and administrative experience that Justices Agarwal and Singh bring to the Supreme Court, referring to their leadership of the Gujarat, Telangana, Jharkhand and Tripura High Courts.
In a lighter moment, the SCBA President referred to the geographical diversity of Justice Singh’s judicial career, spanning jurisdictions in the Northeast, eastern India and southern India. He also made a humorous reference to Justice Agarwal’s tenure in Gujarat, recalling a senior colleague’s observation that anyone who spends six months in the State inevitably becomes a Gujarati. He remarked that, given the Bar’s longstanding association with Gujarat’s traditions and cuisine, a substantial section of the legal fraternity had practically acquired a Gujarati connection.
The felicitation ceremony also provided an occasion to reaffirm the institutional significance of constructive Bench-Bar relations and the need to preserve the distinctive professional standards associated with the Supreme Court.
The addresses highlighted that mutual respect, professional independence and sustained institutional dialogue constitute the bedrock of a healthy judicial ecosystem. The speakers underscored that the Bar must retain its independent voice while extending constructive cooperation towards the effective administration of justice.
The SCBA leadership also highlighted infrastructural and technological requirements affecting the legal fraternity, including improvements to campus-wide Wi-Fi connectivity and other facilities within the Supreme Court complex.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, while addressing the felicitation ceremony, welcomed Justices Sunita Agarwal and Aparesh Kumar Singh to the Supreme Court and underscored the breadth of judicial and administrative experience they bring to the apex court.
Referring to their respective tenures across different High Courts, Mehta observed that their exposure to diverse judicial jurisdictions and experience in leading major State judiciaries would add considerable institutional depth to the Supreme Court Bench.
He also acknowledged the distinct judicial temperaments of the two judges, appreciating their approach towards courtroom proceedings, particularly their patience in hearing counsel, emphasis on procedural discipline and adherence to constitutional principles.
The Solicitor General further reiterated the commitment of the government’s law officers to extend their assistance to the newly elevated judges in the adjudication of complex statutory and constitutional questions, emphasising the collective responsibility of the Bar and law officers in facilitating the effective administration of justice.
The ceremony thus served not merely as a formal acknowledgement of the elevation of two distinguished judges, but also as an affirmation of the enduring institutional partnership between the Supreme Court Bench and its Bar.
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