Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta meets CJI UU Lalit
Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Dipankar Dutta met CJI UU Lalit on Saturday (3 September 2022). After the meeting, Justice Dipankar Dutta said, “Chief Justice of India UU Lalit is a simple and kind person. Recalling an old incident, Justice Dutta became emotional. He said that the CJI is extremely humble.
Chief Justice Datta was speaking at a felicitation function for CJI Lalit on behalf of the Nagpur High Court Bar Association of the Bombay High Court. Recalling nostalgia, he said, “The incident is from March 2021, when I went to Delhi to invite Justice Lalit for the inauguration of the new building of Bombay High Court in Goa. “When Justice Lalit entered the room, he raised his hand and said, “Sir, how are you?” Justice Datta said that to be honest, I have never been addressed as ‘Sir’ by any judge of the Supreme Court.
Treating human beings with respect
Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Dipankar Dutta said, “If simplicity, humility, kindness, righteousness and sympathy can be in one person, then CJI Lalit will be at the forefront of it.” Dipankar Dutta said, “I learned this from CJI Lalit that no matter how tall you are, how do you treat a human being. You do not do this keeping in mind your high position.”
Justice Datta said, “I was there as the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court. It was the generosity of Justice Lalit to show respect for the chair that I have. It is sad that this is happening fast in our society.”
CJI Lalit is very fond of ice cream
Justice Dutta also disclosed some lesser known facts about CJI. He pointed out that as an advocate, Justice Lalit had appeared before all high courts except the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Courts and the Sikkim High Court. In those days when there was no virtual hearing, Justice Lalit appeared in three courts located at different places on one day.
Used to refund the fees to the client
Justice Dipankar Dutta told that as a lawyer he used to appear in the Supreme Court in 15-20 cases in a day and was ready for all the matters. If due to any reason he is not able to appear in any case, he used to refund the fee to the customer. The Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court pointed out that he had three fall back arguments in any case.
He further explained, “At an event in Nagpur, CJI Lalit had said that there are three important qualities to be a successful lawyer. Know the facts, know the law and it is more important than the first two to know the judge.”
