'Judiciary Never Fails To Reward Sincere Efforts': Justice Chittaranjan Dash Bids Farewell To Orissa High Court
Justice Chittaranjan Dash, who demitted office after serving as a Judge of the Orissa High Court for over four years, expressed his firm belief that the judiciary recognises and rewards those who serve the institution with sincerity, honesty and dedication.
Speaking at a Full-Court Reference organised by the Orissa High Court on Wednesday (November 11) to bid him farewell, Justice Dash reflected on his judicial journey and acknowledged the contributions of his mentors, colleagues, family members and court staff.
“I believe that when one's intentions are honest, when one's conduct is guided by fairness, and when one's efforts are directed towards a genuine purpose, this institution has way of embracing that individual and taking him forward in ways that he may never have anticipated. I have experienced something of that [sort] myself.”
The farewell reference was presided over by Chief Justice Harish Tandon and attended by all Judges of the High Court. Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, Deputy Solicitor General Prasanna Kumar Parhi, Orissa High Court Bar Association (OHCBA) President Lalatendu Samantaray, and several members of the Bar were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Advocate General Acharya said that the professional journey of Justice Dash has been one of dedication, discipline, and distinction. He recalled the challenging trials deftly presided over by Justice Dash in the infamous murder case of Hindu Saint Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and the cases relating to the riots which followed the assassination. The DSGI and the OHCBA President also commended the contributions of the outgoing Judge.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Dash remembered his late parents and parents-in-law and showered words of praise particularly on his father-in-law Late Gobardhan Pujari, an eminent Labour and Service Law giant, under whose guidance he started practice of law.
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by his family due to his professional obligations, he expressed gratitude to his spouse and children. Moreover, he also thanked his sister-in-law, Dr. Anindita Pujari, a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court, for her valuable support.
He remembered with gratitude the invaluable role played by former President of the OHCBA Mr. Biswamohan Patnaik, in his formative years at the Bar.
“Between 2002 and 2003, he made every possible effort to provide me with opportunity to appear before this Court, and place matters before different Benches. He extended all possible assistance, facilities, and support to make my life and professional transition comfortable. I shall always remain indebted to him.”
Justice Dash also mentioned with reverence the guidance he received from Dr. Justice (Retd.) S. Muralidhar, the 32nd Chief Justice of the High Court. Notably, he worked as the Registrar General and later he was elevated as a Judge of the High Court during the tenure of Chief Justice Muralidhar.
“I must express my most sincere gratitude to Dr. Justice S. Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of this High Court. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under his leadership. I learnt from him the various nuances of judicial administration and the governance of an institution as complex as judiciary, and the vision required to ensure that the entire judicial establishment functions with coherence, discipline, and purpose.”
Recalling his professional roots, the Judge acknowledged the profound impact made by the Rourkela Bar Association, of which he was a member. He credited that Bar for laying a strong foundation of his legal career.
Justice Dash also mentioned about the experiences of holding various posts in many remote judgeships of the State.
“I have had the occasion to serve in places such as Kandhamal, Phulbani, Kalahandi at Bhawanipatna and Rayagada. These places were not merely postings in the course of my service; they were experiences in themselves.”
He also said that assignments handled by him as the Registrar (Judicial) and later as Registrar General of the High Court gave him a unique opportunity to understand the administrative nuances of the Judiciary. It also helped him to grasp the need for cordial relationship between the Bench and the Bar.
Apart from acknowledging the contributions of his colleagues on the Bench and the staff, he deeply appreciated his Judicial Law Clerk-cum-Research Assistant Ms. Suman Soren for her extensive contributions throughout the last three years of their association.
“From the earliest, she took charge of the work and responsibilities associated with every matter. I have hardly prompted her about what needed to be done. I have never seen her willingly leaving a task postponed when it could be completed that day. Her ability to find appropriate expression to suggest a better formulation and to convey a legal proposition with clarity and precision has been particularly impressive. I wish her the best. I would like her to know that her contribution has been noticed, valued and will always be remembered.”
He apprised the audience of a co-incidence of his career. Upon his joining in the Higher Judiciary in the year 2004, he had occupied a chambers which was situated exactly two floors below where his present chambers stands. Thus, he said–
“Perhaps life has a way of bringing us back to where we began, not necessarily to repeat the past but to remind us how far we have travelled, and today, as I prepare to demit office, I would like to believe that I am not leaving behind everything that I have been a part of. I may be vacating a chambers, relinquishing a designation and laying down responsibilities attached to this office, but the experiences, relationships and values that I have acquired here are not things that can be left behind.”
Justice Dash was born in Rourkela on November 12, 1964 to Late Smt. Padmini Dash and Late Sri Raghunath Dash, an officer in the cadre of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS). He obtained his Law degree from Lala Lajpat Ray Law College, Sambalpur and got enrolled as a Lawyer in the Odisha State Bar Council in the year 1988.
He started practice under the guidance of his father-in-law Late Sri Gobardhan Pujari. He was selected to the post of Adhoc Addl. District & Sessions Judge and got posted as Adhoc Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Cuttack in the year 2004. After serving in various positions, he was elevated as a Judge of the High Court on August 13, 2022.
With the superannuation of Justice Dash, the working strength of the High Court has come down to a historic low of 14 Judges, against a sanctioned strength of 33 Judges. Further, with the upcoming retirement of Chief Justice Tandon on 15.11.2026, the High Court would be left with merely 13 Judges. Though the names of four Advocates were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium in August this year, they are yet to be cleared by the Centre.