Gurugram: The swearing in of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India sparked celebrations across district bar associations in Haryana, highlighting the pride of the state’s legal fraternity over one of their own rising to the top.
Justice Kant succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai Monday, becoming the first CJI from Haryana.
At his home district in Hisar, Additional District and Sessions Judge Natasha Sharma celebrated by dancing with advocates outside the court. The Hisar District Bar Association organised a grand ceremony, including a havan and a live screening of the oath-taking ceremony. Sitting on the Hisar court premises, senior advocates and young lawyers watched the historic moment unfold in New Delhi, with sweets in their hands.
“This is a moment of immense pride for all of Haryana”—this was the general sentiment among advocates gathered at the Hisar Bar, recalling Justice Kant’s early days of practice at the district court. Then, in 1985, he had moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Speaking to ThePrint, Lal Bahadur Khowal, a senior advocate of the Hisar District Bar Association, proudly stated that Surya Kant began his career in Hisar. “We used to introduce the Hisar District Bar Association to an outsider, referring to the name of Lala Lajpat Rai, the founding member of the Bar. But today, another name was added. By taking oath as the CJI, Justice Surya Kant has attained a stature, and the members of this Bar will refer to his name for at least a century to come,” he added.
Subhash Godara, one of the ex-presidents of the Hisar Bar Association, said he felt proud to have completed his law degree as Justice Surya Kant’s junior from Rohtak’s Maharshi Dayanand University. He said Surya Kant showed that even judges, who get an education in government schools and attend state universities, can reach the position of CJI.
Rohtak Bar also screened the swearing-in on a large screen, with advocates watching the live broadcast in large numbers. The moment Justice Kant took his oath, the hall erupted in applause. A special ‘havan-yagna’ was also conducted to mark the occasion.
Narnaul Bar distributed laddoos, and one of the members told ThePrint, “Justice Surya Kant has always maintained a distinct identity through his honest, transparent, and sensitive work style in the judiciary.” Many around him agreed while eating their laddoos.
According to Bhiwani District Bar Association President Sandeep Tanwar and Secretary Vinod Bhardwaj, Justice Kant’s appointment as CJI has “infused new energy and enthusiasm among advocates”. “We believe that under his tenure, the justice system will become even stronger and more transparent,” Tanwar said.
Prominent advocates, like Jaypal Chauhan, Dilbag Singh, Kuldeep Sharma, Rajeev Gaud, Shamsher Dahiya, Mahesh Bhardwaj, and many others, attended the celebrations.
Jhajjar District Bar Association distributed laddoos in its Bahadurgarh court premises. Calling it “a proud moment”, bar member Vikram highlighted Justice Kant’s elevation.
Parvesh Yadav, a member of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana in Gurugram, said that they also celebrated Justice Surya Kant’s elevation.
In nearly all districts, advocates expressed confidence that Justice Kant’s tenure would strengthen the judiciary and that he would inspire future generations with his values of simplicity, justice, and high ideals.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)