Judges are human, fallible, says retiring Supreme Court justice

Justice Sanjay Karol, nearing the end of his tenure on the Supreme Court, has underscored the limitations of the bench, stating that judges are not infallible and will inevitably render imperfect judgments despite their best efforts.

Reflecting on his judicial career, Justice Karol stressed that effective judging demands a profound sense of humility from those who occupy the bench. He emphasized that courts function best when judges recognize their inherent human constraints and approach their responsibilities with a degree of restraint and self-awareness.

A crucial aspect of sound judicial practice, according to Justice Karol, involves seeing beyond the legal arguments and documents to recognize the human beings at the centre of litigation. He suggested that judgments carry greater weight and legitimacy when delivered with an understanding of the real-world consequences for the parties involved.

His remarks come at a time when judicial accountability and the quality of court decisions remain under public scrutiny in India. The observations from a retiring top judge offer insight into how senior members of the judiciary view their role and the inherent challenges of administering justice.