The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : No use in conquering the world after losing the soul: Joseph

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 10, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

No use in conquering the world after losing the soul: Joseph

Staff Reporter

`It is a privilege to serve as Chief Justice of Karnataka'

STRESS ON FAIRNESS: Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph speaking at a function organised by Karnataka State Bar Council to welcome him, in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: The new Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph on Monday said: "Law is for the man and not man for the law."

He was speaking on the High Court premises after a welcome by the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) after he assumed office.

Mr. Joseph said he had never lost his soul to achieve anything and he would not do anything to lose it now. He said he had never mortgaged his conscience for any personal gain. Because of this, Mr. Joseph said he had lost many well-wishers, and friends had turned into foes. But he did not have any regrets as, he said, he believed that there was no use in conquering the world after losing the soul.

Mr. Joseph said he had absolutely no claims about his intellect, acumen or knowledge of the law, and he would leave that to the judgment of the Bar. But, he said he had always maintained the integrity of character and a full sense of justice.

"As far as fairness and sense of justice is concerned, I shall be second to none," he said. Mr. Joseph said his sense of justice would not be restricted to judicial work but also extend to the administration. He deemed it a privilege and honour to serve as the Chief Justice of Karnataka, and said this High Court had earned a name as one the best in the country. He promised to uphold and protect the dignity of the High Court and commended the judges saying that they were champions of justice. Mr. Joseph said he had taken the oath of office at 4 p.m., on January 7 and from that day and date, Karnataka "is my State and the Karnataka High Court is my court and it will continue to do so till I lay down the office."

In his welcome address, Chairman of KSBC A.R. Patil hoped that Mr. Joseph would inaugurate the two High Court circuit Benches in Dharwad and Gulbarga. High Court judges, State Public Prosecutor H.S. Chandramouli, President of the Advocates Association B.L. Jagadeesh, and other office-bearers, presiding officers of the lower courts, advocates and High Court staff were present. Advocate-General of Kerala, the Registrar-General of Uttaranchal High Court, B.K. Maheshwari, and family members of Mr. Joseph were present.

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