Full court reference held to mourn Justice Sarkaria

Chandigarh, Oct 16 (UNI) Full court reference was held today to mourn the death of Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria former Judge of Supreme Court, who died here on October 12.

Paying rich tributes to Justice Sarkaria, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Vijender Jain said that as an outstanding judge, Justice Sarkaria rendered many landmark decisions in his illustrious career. He headed Press Council of India for two terms.

Remembering his great contribution as Chairman of the Centre-State Relations Committee, Chief Justice said that his recommendation on Centre-State relations was a testimony of wisdom, sagacity and fortitude his report was considered to be a ''magna carta for Centre State relations and has earned him a unique distinction which no other report has done in the past.

Speaking on the occasion, Advocate General Punjab, H.S. Mattewal said Justice Sarkaria was known for his integrity and unbiased approach. His judgments were a model of judicial rectitude. Justice Sarkaria belonged to a generation that was steeped in idealism and elevating values.

While paying tributes to Justice Sarkaria, Advocate General of Haryana, H S Hooda recounted Justice Sarkaria's interest in literature besides his unmatched qualities as a legal luminary.

Justice Sarkaria had written a book, "Ek Lap Husan Di" containing translations of a few poems of English poets like Keats, Shakespeare, Milton and T.S. Eliot into Punjabi.

Former Chairman and Member Bar Council, C.M. Munjal, President High Court Bar Association and Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Advocate General Haryana also spoke on the occasion. Former judges, former Chief Justices, senior advocates and family members of justice Sarkaria were also present.

Two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

UNI