Judges should not hesitate to offend: Justice Oka retires from apex court

A day after his mother’s passing, Justice Abhay S Oka returned to the SC to deliver several verdicts on his last day in office. “I believe that this is the one court (Supreme Court) which can uphold the constitutional liberties,” he said.

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CJI BR Gavai, who was heading the ceremonial Bench comprising Justice Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih on the judge’s last day, said like him, Justice Oka, too wouldn't be taking up any post-retirement assignments.

Justice Oka said a judge needed to be “very firm and very strict”, and not hesitate to offend anyone. “I remember a great judge whose name I would not disclose, but he had advised me that please remember one thing, we are not becoming judges to become popular. And I followed that advice,” he said.