New Delhi, May 17, 2025: As Justice Bela M Trivedi demitted office on Friday after an illustrious three-and-a-half-year tenure at the Supreme Court of India, she received heartfelt tributes — but also faced controversy over a skipped farewell function by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
“Do You Have Some Empathy?” — Sibal Recalls Memorable Exchange
Senior advocate and SCBA president Kapil Sibal delivered an emotional message from the ceremonial bench, recalling a poignant courtroom moment that had stayed with him. During a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Sibal had requested the transfer of an accused from Karnataka to Kerala — a plea that Justice Trivedi denied.
“Out of a hunch, I said, ‘I expect your ladyship to have some empathy.’ Your ladyship then said, ‘You don’t know me then,'” Sibal recounted. He added, “This court is a constellation of stars, and you are one of them.”
Only the 11th Woman Judge in Supreme Court History
Justice Trivedi was elevated to the apex court on August 31, 2021, as part of a historic batch that included nine judges, three of whom were women. Sibal noted, “In the 75 years of this country, one lady judge was appointed every seven odd years. That itself is a great milestone.”
Farewell Function Skipped — CJI Expresses Disappointment
In an unexpected move, the SCBA chose not to organize a farewell function for Justice Trivedi, breaking with established tradition. Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, who presided over the ceremonial bench, openly criticized the association’s stance.
“I must deprecate openly… The association ought not to have taken such a stand,” the CJI said, thanking Kapil Sibal and SCBA vice-president Rachna Srivastava for attending despite the SCBA resolution.
From Ahmedabad to the Apex Court
Justice Trivedi began her judicial journey in 1995 as a trial court judge in Ahmedabad. Before that, she practiced law in the Gujarat High Court for a decade. A unique footnote in her biography — her father also served as a judge in the same court — earned them a mention in the Limca Book of Indian Records for being a “father-daughter judge pair.”
A Judicial Legacy Beyond Popular Sentiment
Kapil Sibal ended his tribute on a powerful note: “We will know you before, and we will know you after. No judge in this court bows to popular sentiment, and you upheld that tradition with dignity.”