THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was a homecoming of sorts for five High Court (HC) judges at the Government Law College here the other day. The judges, all alumni of the college, shared their memories of learning experiences and fun time at their alma mater to a packed audience comprising former teachers, current students and faculty members.
The function, titled ‘Inheriting the wisdom of ages’, organised as part of the conclusion of the national colloquium at the college on Saturday, was attended by Justices S Sirijagan, T R Ramachandran Nair, V Chidambaresh, K M Shaffique and A V Ramakrishna Pillai.
“I was the third from my family to the college after my father and sister,” said Justice Sirigajan. “Though we were fortunate to have the guidance of some renowned teachers, functions were few at that time, except the inaugural and valedictory of the college union,” he said.
Justice Sirigajan said that several bureaucrats and politicians were showing disregard to the rule of law.
“Sometime back, a Government Secretary issued a circular to the District Collectors and RDOs asking them not to implement the Land Reforms Act. Some officials in the Central Government didn’t act upon the Court verdict to give freedom pension to an eligible candidate on three occasions. I wonder how these take place,” he said.
The other judges who spoke on the occasion too shared their memories at the college and inspired the students to step into a careers that offered immense scope. The judges were presented mementoes at the function.
National University of Advanced Legal Studies Vice-Chancellor Dr N K Jayakumar, who presided over the function, said that the appointments to the judiciary should be made more transparent and efficient. “Consultations with a wide spectrum as in the US need to be followed,” he added.
Dr G Mohan Gopal, former director of the National Judicial Academy, in his keynote address, called for timely reforms in law education.
“The Indian law students are intellectually superior to their counterparts in other parts of the world. But the framework of legal education institutions is deplorable,” he opined.
Former principal Prof V Vijayabalan, principal Prof S Usha and Prof A Suhruth Kumar spoke at the function. The students and faculty of the College presented a memento to Prof S Usha, who is due to retire by month-end.