BENGALURU: It was time for Justice A N Venugopala Gowda, who retired as Judge of Karnataka High Court on Thursday, to take a trip down memory lane. At the farewell function organised by the Advocates’ Association of Bangalore (AAB), he recollected his childhood days and the journey from a poor family background to become a judge. He also urged the legal fraternity to strive for strengthening the judiciary.
Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, AAB president H C Shivaram and the Karnataka State Bar Council Chairman Y R Sadashiva Reddy appreciated his works as a judge.
Justice Gowda had played an active role in bringing reforms in filling vacant posts in police department, clearing pendency of cases in Karnataka Lokayukta, proper functioning of Karnataka State Police Complaint Authority and quasi judicial bodies across state. Besides, he passed several orders in the best interests of public.
Justice Gowda had recently issued directions to the authorities concerned to create awareness about fundamental duties. With the retirement of Justice Gowda, the strength of judges of high court has come down to 29, while the total sanctioned strength is 62.
Justice Gowda was a native of Amblikal village of Mulabagil taluk in Kolar district. He enrolled as an advocate on October 29, 1979 and was elevated as additional judge of Karnataka High Court on July 4, 2007. He became the permanent judge on April 17, 2009. Before this, he practised at lower courts and tribunals, and also as Principal High Court Government Advocate and Special Council for CET Cells of Government of Karnataka. He was in the panel of advocates for KPSC, Railways, BDA, etc.