Supreme Court is CJI centric, need to change that: Justice Abhay S Oka

Justice Abhay S Oka, who demitted office today, said during his address at the Supreme Court Bar Associations' farewell function that the Supreme Court of India is Chief Justice of India centric.

"The supreme court is a CJI CENTRIC COURT and I think we need to change that..because Supreme Court is a court of 34 judges who come from different areas of our country...I am not making you a promise, but I am sure you will see that change from the new Chief Justice..", Justice Oka has said.

Justice Oka went on to praise the last Chief Justice of India, Justice Khanna in saying that CJI Khanna took every decision by taking into confidence every judge of the Supreme Court.

"The high courts function more democratically than supreme court, because the high courts function through committees...", Justice Oka added.

On pendency, Justice Oka referred to the pendency before Allahabad High Court and said, "Court like Allahabad is working with half the strength..something needs to be done urgently..".

Speaking about his journey as a judge, Justice Oka referred to a remarkable thing and said that he has have never delivered a dissenting judgment. "Have been a judge of 3 constitutional courts for last 21 years and 9 months..judgship becomes life and life is judgeship..will have to find out if there is a life outside justice..", he added.

"I have taken a stand that talking to media when I am holding office is out of question...also I need some cooling period of two to three months..I will be in better frame of mind to speak to media..even after demitting office you have to show some constraints..", Justice Oka said.

Justice Oka appreciated his law clerks who worked late in the night. He also thanked his staff members.