Litigants Come To Court After Losing Every Battle, Must Be Given Speedy Justice: Patna High Court Judge Justice Anjani Kumar Sharan Retires

“The court is the temple of justice and must be accessible to every person seeking redress of their grievances,” said Justice Anjani Kumar Sharan, who retired as a judge of the Patna High Court on April 9, after a six-year tenure on the bench and 28 years at the Bar.

In his farewell speech delivered in a mix of Hindi and English at the Centenary Hall of the Patna High Court, Justice Sharan expressed heartfelt gratitude to his colleagues, the legal fraternity, and his family.

Recalling his journey in the legal profession, he said, “The Wheel of Time has brought me to such a point that when I look at the past, it is hard to decide what to remember and what to forget.”

He reflected on the discipline, hard work, and time that defined his 34-year journey, acknowledging the inspiration he drew from his grandfather and his early mentor, late Thakur Prasad who was a senior advocate. “He never directly gave me solutions to legal problems; he would always encourage me to study and discover the answers myself.”

Justice Sharan recalled his elevation to the Bench on April 17, 2019, alongside Justices Anil Kumar Sinha, Prabhat Kumar Singh, and Parth Sarthy. Reflecting on the timing of their appointments, he noted that the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic emerged shortly thereafter. Speaking about the challenges that followed, he said, “With support, resolution, and commitment, we overcame those unprecedented challenges and kept the judicial process moving.”

Throughout his tenure, Justice Sharan was particularly focused on ensuring “speedy justice to the litigants.” He said, “My concern as a judge was to render speedy justice as litigants come to the court after losing the battle to everyone.”

Addressing the young members of the Bar, he said, “This is not just a profession, it is a voice that demands infinite truth, dedication, and patience.”

Emphasising the importance of punctuality and decorum in court, he noted, “The punctual sitting of the court at the scheduled time is as important as the integrity of a judge. I expect from the young, budding members of the bar must also follow so that fair and speedy justice could be served to the litigants.”

Justice Sharan concluded his address by expressing his gratitude towards his friends, colleagues, supporters, and family. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “Sometimes there is much to say, but at times, silence is also required. Therefore, this is the moment for the pause of my words.”

Earlier, Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar, while addressing the gathering, paid rich tributes to Justice Sharan's judicial acumen and human approach. “Within a very short span of time, your conduct on the bench reflected an uncanny sense of sagacity,” he said, adding that “you often resolved complex legal questions using simple logic and fair-mindedness.”

He noted that in his six-year tenure, Justice Sharan delivered 1,753 judgments and 75,613 orders, and was part of several important committees advising the Chief Justice and the Full Court. “You were catapulted into the league of judges who understood the practicalities of life and offered simple, humane solutions to legal problems. Your heart always bled for the underdogs.”

Justice Kumar also highlighted Justice Sharan's cheerful disposition, even in the face of heavy workloads, and his collegial contribution to the institution: “You have given generously to the collegiate life of this court.”

He concluded by saying, “Though Justice Sharan is stepping down from his illustrious career, this is not a farewell. He shall always remain in the heart of the Patna High Court family.”

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