“He Has Always Been A Strong Proponent For The Use of Technology”: CJI, NV Ramana, Bids Farewell To Justice Khanwilkar

(Judicial Quest News Network)

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on the occasion of a farewell function organized by Supreme Court Bar Association for Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, described him a person who had always been a strong proponent for the use of technology.

CJI, further said that Ever since he took over the Chairmanship of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee in August 2021, he actively promoted the use of technology in the functioning of the Committee. He conceptualized and launched the SCLSC Online Portal to enable access to justice for all. His efforts will certainly be appreciated by all. Just two days ago, thanks to Brother Khanwilkar’s initiative we have inaugurated a state-of-the-art front office for SCLSC

“Brother Justice Khanwilkar has always been a very hard-working and disciplined Judge. His work ethic is clear for all to see. He has authored more than 187 judgments and has disposed of nearly 8446 cases in the Supreme Court.”

Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, B.Com. LL.B., was born on July 30, 1957. He was enrolled as an Advocate on February 10, 1982. He practiced in the Court of Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra Co-operative Appellate Tribunal, City Civil & Sessions Court and the High Court at Bombay till July 1984 and, thereafter, exclusively in the Supreme Court of India. He practiced in civil, criminal, constitutional, election, co-operative and labour matters and he has specialised in civil, criminal, constitutional and elections laws. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000 and as a Permanent Judge on April 8, 2002. He was appointed as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on April 04, 2013 and transferred to Madhya Pradesh on November 24, 2013. He was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on May 13, 2016.

At the ceremony, CJI mentioned that Justice  Khanwilkar,during his days as a lawyer, was appointed as an amicus curiae by Supreme Court in the “MC Mehta Case “relating to the pollution control.

“In Swapnil Tripathy v. Supreme Court of India, Brother Justice Khanwilkar, writing for the majority, made live streaming of Court proceedings a possibility. He was a part of the Constitution Bench in Public Interest Foundation v. Union of India which made the disclosure of criminal antecedents of contesting candidates mandatory. In Kalpana Mehta v. Union of India, Brother Justice Khanwilkar was a member of the Constitution bench which held that judicial notice of Parliamentary Standing Committee Reports can be taken.”

While expressing his feelings Justice Khanwilkar said that this profession has given me a lot and today whatever recognition is there it is because of this profession and the height which I have achieved is all because of the strength of the (Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association) SCAORA where I practised and I was one of the member of the Association.

He further recounted that his journey started from Mumbai where he was mentored by Mr. Prafulla Pradhan andLate Mr. Ghanpule, whose office he joined.

Justice Khanwilkar has also showed his gratitude to Justice A.P Sen, Justice Venkatramana and Justice J.S.Varma for their guidance.

SCBA’s President & senior Advocate Vikas Singh while delivering his speech said that Justice Khandwilkar is a pure workaholic.

The interesting part of Justice Khandwilkar is that he is a first generation lawyer.

He further said that Justice Khandwilkar’s sheer hard work has given him this position and he achieved the highest position.

He said that Justice Khandwilkar is a pragmatic judge and has shown a very liberal attitude in dispensing justice bearing the gift of sympathy.