Compassionate judges can always find ways to help people: CJI

New Delhi: Compassionate and sensitive judges always find ways to help people in need, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur on Friday said while bidding farewell to the senior-most judge, Justice A R Dave who demitted office.

"Within the four corners of law, if you can do something to help somebody, that is, I think, the real test. If a judge is compassionate and sensitive, he can always find some way to help people," CJI Thakur said.

Speaking at the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at the Supreme Court lawns, the CJI said, "Justice Dave has been helping litigants in many ways and we all know how good he is at heart."

Justice Dave had joined the apex court bench on April 30, 2010 after serving as the Chief Justice of Bombay and Hyderabad High Courts.

Justice Thakur had words of praise for his retiring colleague, calling him "emaculate and prudent".

"Justice Dave has no airs, he doesn't behave like lot of other people do," Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said at the occasion.

"Compassion and practicality, I think are more important than mere academic knowledge of law. I found that he has an uncanny vision to find a practical solution to finish of the case," Rohatgi said.

A rather emotional Justice Dave, at the beginning of his speech, appeared slightly nervous but expressed his happiness and gratitude for the strong 500-plus crowd, mostly lawyers.

Gradually reverting to his usual witty and humorous self, the retiring Justice shared instances from his life, including his decision to switch tracks from chartered accountancy to become a lawyer and his career thereafter.