Tributes pour in for ‘green judge’ Kuldip Singh, Justice HS Bedi

Retired judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court gathered at the residence of Justice SS Sodhi, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, to pay homage to two stalwarts of the Indian judiciary — Justice Kuldip Singh and Justice Harjit Singh Bedi.

The gathering passed a condolence resolution, celebrating their towering contributions to law, justice and humanity.

The resolution underscored Justice Kuldip Singh’s pioneering work in environmental jurisprudence, earning him the iconic title of the “green judge”.

Elevated directly to the Supreme Court from the Bar in 1988, Justice Singh’s groundbreaking rulings in constitutional law, land acquisition, delimitation and environmental law were remembered as monumental. Justice Harjit Singh Bedi, affectionately remembered as “Harry”, was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to human rights, integrity, and rule of law.

The resolution acknowledged his distinguished career, from Advocate-General of Punjab to Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and ultimately as a Supreme Court judge. His role as Chairman of the SC-appointed Monitoring Authority on Gujarat encounters was highlighted as a testament to his fearless pursuit of justice.

Reflecting on their humanity and values, the resolution noted with pride that their legacies lived on through their children— senior advocates Paramjit Singh Patwalia and Deepinder Singh Patwalia, and Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi – a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The resolution signed by former judges, including Justice SS Sodhi, Justice MS Liberhan, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Justice SS Saron, Justice Ranjit Singh Randhawa, Justice Nawab Singh, Justice Rajiv Narain Raina, Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, Justice Jaishree Thakur and Justice Sabina, expressed deep sorrow at the untimely passing of both luminaries within days of each other.

“Their passing has created an irreplaceable void, but their contributions and values will continue to inspire us as we move forward,” the resolution stated. Copies of the resolution were decided to be hand-delivered to the bereaved families as a mark of respect.