'No Institution Can Boast Of It Being Complete Without Respect For Ladies': Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan Retires From Jharkhand High Court

When bidding farewell to the Jharkhand High Court upon his superannuation, Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan on Thursday (January 8) emphasised the need for greater sensitivity towards women and highlighted infrastructural gaps within court premises. He noted that having daughters changed his perspective of life.

Chief Justice Chauhan observed:

“I have always tried to be sensitive towards the girl child. When I found that there was no crèche in court, I was reminded of the days when I was struggling as an advocate and we had no crèches during that time. The same thought comes in when I realize that even though lady advocates have a common room, those are not equipped with toilets. There are no feeding rooms. No institution can boast of it being complete without there being respect for the ladies and the elders.”

On a lighter note, he observed:

“Now pan India, we are having more lady judicial officers at the entry level than the boys. The boys now need to pull up their socks and complete with them, or else they will be outdone.”

Reflecting on his early life, Justice Chauhan spoke of growing up with limited resources, including the absence of electricity and even basic amenities such as toilets. He emphasised that education was the most important value in his household. His father was educated only up to the eighth standard and his mother had no formal education, yet, he observed, they were not 'illiterate'. Justice Chauhan stressed that judges must remain connected to rural realities and that such representation should also be reflected within the courts. He further noted:

“The office of the Chief Justice is not sustained by authority alone, but by the collective wisdom and cooperation of all his colleagues that helps one to discharge the duties of the Chief Justice. There must be mutual respect and a shared commitment, then and then alone will the institution thrive.”

Justice Chauhan expressed gratitude to the Almighty for the opportunity to serve the people. He thanked his family members, his brother and sister judges, the Bar, and the court staff for the privilege of serving as Chief Justice. He described the office of Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court as the highest honour of his professional life and marked the occasion as the end of a significant chapter. He stated:

“As I take leave of this exalted office, my faith in the future of the High Court of Jharkhand remains unwavering. This Court will continue to stand as a sentinel of constitutional governance, fearless in independence, measured in authority, and unwavering in commitment to justice.”

Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan was enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh in 1989 and joined the illustrious chamber of Lala Chhabil Das. He began his practice before the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and practised across all branches of law. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh on 23 February 2014. He took oath as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on 23.07.2025.

The full recording of his farewell address is available here.