While speaking at his farewell reference on Tuesday (September 8), Gujarat High Court Justice AY Kogje told the young members of the bar to treat the institution as their second home as this is where they will draw their strength, reputation as well as a path for the next generation. 

Justice Kogje was speaking at his farewell reference, following his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court notified by the Central Government last week. 

At the outset, Justice Kogje thanked the Gujarat High Court and said, "I have to attribute everything I am today to this great institution. I believe in rebirth, so I pray to God also that in my next birth let me be associated to this institution only and no other". 

Recalling his beginning in the profession, he said that his initiation began from the chamber of advocate late KG Chauhan from Baroda as well as in the offices of senior advocate SV Raju, now the Additional Solicitor General of India in the Supreme Court.

Thanking ASG Raju, Justice Kogje said:

"He is a father figure not only to me but to several others, here and in the Supreme Court. Shri SV Raju has instilled amongst his juniors, a strong character to be fearless and to stand by what you believe in. It is his effort to focus on your work, give your best effort, rather than falling trap to the negativities surrounding the profession". 

He thereafter thanked the senior members of the bar and said that he had always "experienced hand holding by them". 

To the junior members of the bar the judge said:

"Please treat this institution as your second home. This is where you will draw your strength, reputation and maybe a path for your next generation". 

Thanking the bar members, Justicer Kogje said there were anxious moments in his journey where he thought he would not get this opportunity.

"But it is the silent prayer of the bar which has made this day possible. For this I can't thank the bar enough," he added.

Thanking Gujarat High Court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Kogje said that an institution headed by a woman is an embodiment of 'Shakti', with a weapon in one hand and at the same time a flower in another. 

"It has been my good fortune I got a role to play of that of flower and in that capacity entrusted with important assignments. Firstly, at Gujarat Judicial Academy and later at Gujarat State Legal Services Authority. At both the places, Hon'ble Chief Justice had given me a complete free hand but of-course under her watchful guidance. I thank you for allowing me a free hand to put my ideas in operation," he added.

He thereafter thanked his sister and brother judges for their continued support throughout his journey, calling them his extended family. 

He also thanked the high court Registry, calling it the backbone of Gujarat High Court and wished them well. He thanked his private secretary as well as his staff. 

He further thanked his parents and family, his in-laws as well as his wife and daughter. 

Born in 1969, Justice Kogje completed his LL.B in 1993 and joined the Bar starting his legal practice in 1993. He was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader in 2001 and Additional Public Prosecutor in 2002 and continued to work as such till 2007.

He was appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor for Special Investigation Team in the Gujarat High Court on 07.06.2011. He was also appointed as a Special Counsel Special Task Force for the cases investigated / inquired by the Special Task Force.

He was further appointed as Standing Counsel for Central Excise and Customs Department on 17.09.2008.

He also handled a large number of important matters arising from 2002 Godhra riots. 

Justice Kogje was as Additional Judge of the High Court of Gujarat and took charge as such on 06.04.2016. He was confirmed as permanent Judge on 15.03.2018.