Justice Shah quotes Raj Kapoor’s song ‘Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan’ on last day

At the event, Justice MR Shah stated that he is not a person to retire and will start a new inning in life.

At the end of his address, Justice Shah quoted Raj Kapoor’s iconic song “jeena yaha, marna yaha”.

“Before parting, I would like to remember a song by Raj Kapoor ‘kal khel me hum ho na ho, gardish me tare rahenge sada’,” he said choking with emotions.

“I am not a person to retire and I am going to start a new inning of my life. I am praying to the almighty God to give me strength and courage and good health to play the new inning,” said Justice Shah.

With the retirement of Justice Shah, who was appointed to the top court on November 2, 2018, the number of judges in the top court will now come down to 32, including the CJI. A day before, Justice Dinesh Maheshwari demitted the office.

The apex court has the sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

Heading the ceremonial bench, set up to bid farewell to Justice Shah, the CJI fondly recalled his association with the retiring judge.

“My association with Justice Shah goes back to a long-long time when I was the Additional Solicitor General of India and we renewed our friendship when he came to the Supreme Court. We sat together during the most difficult times, that is during the Covid times.

“I will say some lighter things in the evening when I am liberated from presiding over this solemn occasion as the CJI. I will then speak to all of you as a friend of Justice Shah in the evening,” the CJI said.

Justice Shah thanked members of the bar and SC officials and his support staff for helping him serve as the top court judge.

Bar leaders, including Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and others wished Justice Shah on his last day on the bench.