MUMBAI: Within a matter of days Bombay High Court lost another well-loved Judge to
retirement
age. Justice Prakash Deu Naik on Monday was the second Judge to be accorded a full house farewell presided over by
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
with all Judges present. A genial Judge, he elicited high regard since his elevation to the Bar eight years ago.
Justice Naik
‘s retirement took the HC Judge’s strength to 66. The sanctioned strength is 94 taking the vacancies to 28 or almost 30 percent.
State Advocate General Birendra Saraf spoke of his prowess in criminal law saying, “Administration of Justice in criminal matters requires a delicate balance between the rights of the victim, the accused and the society at large.” “Justice Naik struck this balance perfectly calmly and gently. Being a first-generation lawyer, he was always encouraging to juniors and encouraged them to argue their cases,” he added, a point seconded by advocate Konde Deshmukh echoed on behalf of the State Bar Council. The Bombay Bar Association president Nitin Thakkar pointed out how Justice Naik also loved cricket and said “The HC lost two wickets in one over —six days—with two distinguished Judges having retired.”Justice Gautam Patel had retired on April 25.
The CJ said that Justice Naik may go on to practice before the Supreme Court.
The Judge himself spoke of his years on the bench and the satisfaction when justice is done in a matter and of the art of kneading the law to achieve the ends of justice.
