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Some Experiences Encourage, Some Test: Justice C Sudha Retires
The bid an emotional farewell to Justice C. Chandrasekharan Sudha on Thursday as she retired after a judicial career spanning more than three decades. In a heartfelt address, Justice Sudha reflected on the experiences that shaped her journey from a young lawyer in Thiruvananthapuram to a judge on the of the , offering a rare glimpse into the personal and professional trials that define a judicial career.
“Some experiences encourage us. Some test us. Some make us stronger. Each of those experiences, in his own way, contributed to the person and the judge that I became,” Justice Sudha said during her farewell, her voice thick with emotion. The remarks resonated deeply with the packed courtroom, where members of the and gathered to honour her service.
A Journey Through the Judiciary
Justice Sudha began practising as a lawyer in , enrolled at the . She entered the in and served there for over 25 years—a period she described as “challenging and eventful.” Her as a Judge of the came in , followed by a to the on . She noted that the gave her a “larger canvas” as well as the “space and freedom” to work upon.
Her reflections on the were notably candid. “It was not a bed of roses, but neither was it a journey filled entirely with thorns,” she said. Justice Sudha acknowledged that her judicial career often required her and her husband to live miles apart, a sacrifice that many in the legal profession understand intimately.
The Making of a Judge
Justice Sudha traced her legal calling to her paternal grandfather, who served in the judiciary during the . She recalled that her parents—her father who taught her to “aim for the stars” and her mother who kept her “feet firmly on the ground”—instilled in her the importance of education and financial independence.
Her early years at the were formative. Her senior, she remembered, taught her not merely the law but the discipline required of a lawyer. “He taught me never to interrupt the opposite side, never to raise my voice, and never ever to display emotions in court, irrespective of the outcome of the case,” she recounted. This advice, she said, stayed with her throughout her judicial tenure.
A Personal Loss and Unwavering Strength
The most poignant moment of the farewell came when Justice Sudha spoke about her late husband, who died suddenly in . “My beloved husband was my rock. I lost him suddenly and unexpectedly. Not a day goes by without my remembering him,” she said, visibly struggling to compose herself. “I miss him terribly today, and sincerely wish that he had been beside me on this occasion. He would have been immensely happy and proud to see me sitting here today.”
She acknowledged the “huge void” left by his death but noted that life places challenges before people and one must find the strength to carry on. Her son, then in college, became her pillar. “Overnight, my son became a man and has stood by me throughout,” she said, adding that despite a show of strength and courage, there are days she falters—and her son often pulls her up.
Integration into the
Justice Sudha expressed deep gratitude to her colleagues on the for welcoming her and making her feel that she belonged, despite hailing from another High Court and another state. “At no point was I made conscious of the fact that I had come from another High Court or another State,” she said. She also thanked the , the court staff, and the , then headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, for considering her request to serve at the .
Her tenure at the had been equally rewarding. She recalled dealing with matters across several branches of law and writing judgments within months of her .
Lessons for the Legal Community
Justice Sudha’s farewell offers more than a personal narrative; it is a masterclass in resilience for legal professionals. Her career underscores the value of patience, discipline, and emotional fortitude in a profession that demands constant balance between advocacy, adjudication, and personal life. For young lawyers and judges alike, her journey from the district courts to the High Court is a testament to the rewards of steady dedication.
The emotional weight she carried—losing a spouse while shouldering judicial responsibilities—highlights the often-unseen personal toll of a life in law. Her decision to share these vulnerabilities publicly serves as a reminder that even judges are human, and that the legal system is built on the strength of individuals who overcome immense personal challenges.
A Poetic Farewell
As she stepped down from the , Justice Sudha reflected on whether retirement marks the time to “draw the curtain for all times.” She answered with the words of Robert Frost: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”
For the legal fraternity, those miles remain. Justice Sudha’s legacy will continue to inspire those who serve the law with integrity, compassion, and unwavering strength.
