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The jurist chooses to take the bench

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

It all started here: Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan sits on a bench in his old classroom at the Ernakulam Law College on Saturday.

For Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan, it was a trip down memory lane. The occasion was a function for dedicating the renovated Cochin State Assembly hall on the Ernakulam Government Law College campus to the nation.

Alumnus of the college, the Chief Justice recounted the days he spent as a student of the college. Dedicating the building to the nation on Saturday, he recalled that he was a student of the college from 1965 to 69.

He called to mind the talks given by eminent speakers including the then ministers on various issues at the college. He said that there was no jostling for admission to law courses at that time.

Candidates aspiring for law degree could walk into the college and secure admission in no time. The Chief Justice said that there was not enough scope for law degree holders then.

They were able to argue a case before the High Court only after putting in 5-10 years’ practice. However, now, the law graduates had tremendous opportunities. They were now given placement by corporate companies and law firms.

He exhorted the law students to utilise the opportunities to the maximum. He also revealed that he had an ambition to teach at law colleges. It was now being fulfilled when he took classes in institutions such as the national judicial academy.

The Chief Justice earlier went inside the renovated hall and sat on a bench in one of the front rows, saying it was once his seat.

The building was used as the Assembly hall of the erstwhile State of Cochin from 1923 to 1948. After the merger of the erstwhile Kochi and Travancore States, the building housed the law college. The building had been renovated under the heritage protection scheme. Minister for Fisheries and Registration S. Sarma presided over the function. It was attended by Sebastian Paul, MP; K.V. Thomas, MLA; A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, Collector; M.K. Damodaran, former Advocate-General; P.P. Paul, former Principal of the college; C.A. Vijayachandran, vice-president, Parent Teachers’ Association; and Vinay V., chairman, college union. The former Principal Jose T. Manjooran presented a memento to the Chief Justice.

K.C. Gopakumar

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