"If You Cry, I'll Cry": Emotional Farewell as Justice Ganju Transitions from Delhi to Karnataka High Court

Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju delivered her farewell address to the Delhi High Court on Monday as she prepared to assume her new position at the Karnataka High Court.

During her emotional speech, she expressed profound gratitude to her family members in attendance, including her mother and daughter, acknowledging their "constant support, patience and understanding" throughout her judicial career.

Upon noticing her daughter's tears during the ceremony, Justice Ganju paused briefly and whispered, "If you cry, I will cry. Don't cry," before regaining her composure and continuing with her address.

She reflected on the demanding nature of judicial life, noting that it "demands long hours of solitude," while praising her family for standing by her "uncomplainingly" and providing her the peace of mind necessary to fulfill her duties with integrity.

Justice Ganju emphasized that a judge's primary obligation remains to the nation and litigants seeking justice, stating that "personal comfort or even the perspective of disapproval cannot outweigh the obligation we owe to the cause of justice."

"As I prepare to take up my new assignment, I carry with me the lessons and methods of my life," she added, looking ahead to her role in Karnataka.

Having been appointed to the Delhi High Court in May 2022, Justice Ganju's transfer to Karnataka, along with Justice Arun Monga's transfer to Rajasthan High Court, had faced significant opposition from various legal groups, including the Delhi High Court Bar Association and women lawyers.

In her address, she described the judiciary as more than just "an arbiter of disputes" but as "a guardian of the constitutional promise of liberty, equality and justice." She emphasized the judiciary's duty to ensure that law protects the vulnerable rather than empowering the mighty, adding that public confidence in judicial institutions must be maintained through "integrity, independence and transparency."

Justice Ganju thanked the Bar for their cooperation and explained that her occasional firmness in court was solely intended to uphold the "decorum and discipline that this noble institution demands."

She offered guidance to young legal professionals, encouraging them to embrace "discipline, humility and patience" and noting that a lawyer's true measure lies not in caseload but in the "fairness and dignity" of their professional conduct.

Justice Arun Monga, who was also being transferred from Delhi High Court, remarked in his speech that a judge's authentic voice is expressed not through speeches but through the "reasoning, restraint and reflection" evident in their judicial decisions.