The newly appointed Chief Justice Alpesh Yeshvant Kogje of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, in his welcoming ovation address, empahsized the importance of an independent Bar, judicial fairness, institutional cooperation and a litigant-centred justice delivery system.

The Chief Justice stressed on the value of the Bar, stating,

"I have always believed that a good bar is the first requirement of good court. A judge may possess a knowledge, a judge may possess an experience. A judge may also be based having a best institution, intentions, but the good lawyer can make a judge see what the judge may otherwise have missed. That is the beauty of our adversarial system. The lawyer argues, the judge listens". 

Describing his elevation as a matter of "profound honour and privilege", the Chief Justice said the new office marked the beginning of a new chapter in his professional life, beginning with not only a sense of honour but, more importantly, a greater sense of responsibility and gratitude. 

The Chief Justice, who entered the legal profession in 1993 and was elevated to the Bench in 2016, reflected on his transition from the Bar to the Bench. 

"When you are at the Bar, you see the case from one side. When you are on the Bench, you have the responsibility of seeing justice from every side", he observed. 

Speaking of his move from Gujarat High Court to Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Chief Justice invoked the Narmada River as a metaphor for the movement of experience and institutional learning across geographical boundaries. 

He said that while he carried with him the affection and memories of Gujarat, he had come to Madhya Pradesh "to begin anew". 

"I do not expect Madhya Pradesh to adapt itself to me. I am the one who must adapt to Madhya Pradesh", he said, adding that every High Court has its own traditions, temperament, Bar and institutional memory, all of which he wished to understand. 

He also acknowledged the distinguished judicial heritage of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, referring particularly to former Chief Justice M Hidayatullah and judicial stewards Justice JS Verma, GP Singh and RC Lahoti. He said their scholarship, integrity, courage, and vision had contributed significantly to Indian Jurisprudence. 

He further assured the members of the Bar that he valued independent advocacy. A lawyer, he said, must be able to respectfully and fearlessly tell the court that he or she believes the court is wrong, while the judge must possess the maturity to hear such criticism without taking it personally. 

At the same time, he states that the Bar must recognise that a judge has a constitutional obligation that may sometimes require the court to tell counsel that it is not persuaded. 

"We may disagree with each other, but we must never lose respect for each other, because courtesy and courage are not opposites", he said. 

The Chief Justice also underlined that the litigant must remain at the centre of the judicial process. He cautioned that when courts deal with hundreds of cases, a matter can become merely a number on the board. However, behind every case is a human story. 

"There is one person in this entire system who must never be forgotten: that is the litigant. Sometimes when we deal with the hundreds of cases, a matter becomes a number on the board, but behind every number, there is a human story". 

He further called for speed and efficiency in judicial proceedings, but cautioned that neither should come at the cost of fairness. Similarly, while technology should be embraced, it should never be allowed to make justice impractical. 

"We must strive for efficiency, but not at the cost of hearing. We must embrace technology, but never allow technology to make justice impersonal, because, ultimately, justice is delivered by the human beings to the human beings". 

Addressing his fellow judges, the Chief Justice said that while he carried administrative responsibilities, every judge of the High Court remains an independent constitutional authority. 

"I, therefore, do not see myself as someone standing above any of my colleagues. The Chief Justice is merely first amongst the equal. I will seek your cooperation, your wisdom, and when necessary, your criticism as well". 

He said he would endeavour to create an atmosphere in which every judge could work in independence, dignity and confidence. He further highlighted the important role of Registry and Court staff in the functioning of the justice system. 

"Justice does not happen only when the judge pronounces an order. It happens through the collective work of the entire institution, that is, the registry, the court staff, the administrative officers, the lawyers, and finally, the judges. Look forward to working closely with you all". 

He added, "Our objective should be simple. Make the code accessible to the citizen, efficient for the lawyers, and worthy of the trust laced in it by the Constitution. Now, a word for the young lawyers who are always dear to my heart. When I was a young lawyer, I, too, had an ambition, but I gradually learned that a legal career is not built in a day, nor is it built merely by winning cases". 

Returning to the metaphor of the Narmada with which he had begun his address, the Chief Justice said,

"A river does not ask where it begins before it gives its water. It simply flows, it connects, it nourishes, and it leaves behind something larger than itself". 

He concluded his speech by calling upon the Bar, Bench and Registry to work together to ensure that the faith of the common citizen remain intact on the majesty of law and promise of justice.