Tributes pour in for Justice Kuldip Singh, Justice Harjit Singh Bedi
The air was heavy with reverence and grief as retired judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court gathered at the residence of Justice S S 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.
In a profound gesture of respect, the gathering passed a condolence resolution, celebrating their towering contributions to law, justice, and humanity.
The resolution, unanimously adopted, 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. The gathering lauded his deep legal acumen, infectious energy, and legendary wit, which left an indelible mark both in the courtroom and within the legal fraternity.
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 Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Authority on Gujarat encounters was highlighted as a testament to his fearless pursuit of justice.
Known for his humility, kindness, and no-nonsense demeanor, Justice Bedi’s contributions to criminal jurisprudence and life and liberty cases continue to inspire.
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. They continued to uphold professional excellence and the principles of their illustrious fathers, it was felt.
The resolution, signed by former judges including Justice S S Sodhi, Justice M S Liberhan, Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Justice S S 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.
Justice Harjit Singh Bedi passed away on November 21, followed closely by Justice Kuldip Singh on November 25.
“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.
The gathering resolved that the names of Justice Kuldip Singh and Justice Harjit Singh Bedi would remain etched not only in legal annals but also in the collective memory of the legal fraternity as shining examples of justice, integrity, and compassion.
“As we honour their memories today, we pledge to uphold the values they so passionately embodied and continue their legacy of justice, integrity, and humanity,” it concluded.
