'Gentleman' SC judge A K Sikri retires

NEW DELHI: Justice A K Sikri ended his six-year tenure in the Supreme Court on Wednesday with the final words, “Teaching and students are my real assets.”


He left an unsung yet important legacy that could possibly define what a judge should be — soft spoken yet a stickler for law, congenial demeanour for all advocates irrespective of their stature and giving a patient hearing. Justice Sikri, despite giving many important judgments including mandatory linking of Aadhaar with PAN, penning one of the many judgments on validity of Aadhaar and the litigation war between the Centre and AAP over controlling services in the National Capital Territory, will be remembered more for his on-court and off-court conduct.

For the last time and as per tradition, he was part of the bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi which also comprised Justice S A Bobde. Very few matters were listed and were quickly disposed off. Then glowing praise flowed from advocates. Justice Sikri was recently dragged into a controversy over being chosen for once a year arbitration assignment in

London

.