My heart will remain in Tamil Nadu: Chief Justice Indira Banerjee

Though she drew huge criticism in the 18-MLA disqualification case, which ended in a split verdict, she handled it meticulously. Several contempt pleas were moved against those who criticised the Chief Justice with the Advocate General Vijay Narayan being in stock of the same. In fact, even the Additional Solicitor General lodged a police complaint in another case against those who had posted an unkind comment about her on the social media. While outrightly rejecting cases which meant interfering with the executive, she had pulled up the government for failing to implement the court order on illegal hoardings and banners. 

However, on the last day of her tenure she delivered as many as 10 judgements but profusely apologised for not being able to deliver the judgement in a case. She said she was unable to pass the order as she was travelling for the past three days. However, she referred the matter to another bench.

Speaking at the farewell function where she was hailed for the landmark judgements that were passed during her tenure, her scholarly interactions, patient hearing and fostering inter-professional understanding between the bar and the bench, she said, “I suppose it is the convention on occasions like this to say very nice things, but thank you very much nevertheless. I have only tried to discharge my duties as the Chief Justice of this court without fear or favour.” The Chief Justice also noted that there has been an increase in the percentage of disposals during the current year.

She also spoke of the need to ensure that ongoing projects in the High Court are not stalled by reason of administrative delays or sanction of funds. She noted that even though she would be in Delhi, her heart would always remain in Tamil Nadu.

Justice Huluvadi Gangadharappa Ramesh has been appointed as acting Chief Justice in her place. A notification is-sued by the law ministry, said in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution, the President appointed Justice HG Ramesh, senior most judge of the Madras High Court to perform the duties of the office of that High Court with effect from the date Justice Banerjee resigns and till Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramanai assumes the charge of her office as Chief Justice of the MHC. However, sources say that Justice VK Tahilramani is set to take oath on Wednesday. Similar appointments of acting chief justices were made to the high courts at Uttarakhand, Orissa and Bombay High Courts after top judges were either elevated to the Supreme Court or made chief justices elsewhere.