EPILOGUE  

EPILOGUE

An eminent jurist, Justice G.P. Singh, former Chief Justice and later Lokayukt of Madhya Pradesh, needs a mention here.  He believes that canons of ethics cannot be learnt simply by listening or be taught only by being told.  One must live by values to preach and emulating is the best way to learn.  His life as lived is full of examples and he has never delivered any precepts.  His brevity, lucidity and clarity in judgments is comparable with Privy Council decisions.  He has always believed in simple living and high thinking.  His principles of statutory interpretation (Nine Editions, published) and Law of Torts both of international standards, speak aloud of the height of his learning.
Great persons live great lives and leave behind indelible imprints on the sand of time.  The imprints are not faded though several foot-steps have crossed them.  A very inspiring anecdote has been narrated by Fali S. Nariman, Senior Advocate.[33] 

A Chief Justice of the New York State Court of Appeals on his first appointment as Chief Judge proudly showed his wife the chair in the court-room of his illustrious predecessor-in-office of nearly half a century ago Chief Justice Benjamin Cardozo (a legend amongst Judges of the United States).  And he said to his wife in a reverential whisper - “See – this is Cardozo’s chair and this is where I will sit”.  His wife responded not very reverentially: “Yes – and after fifty years and five more Chief Justices it will still be Cardozo’s chair”!

The times would run through and yet Motilal Setalvad would be remembered as Motilal Setalvad with none who could surpass him.  

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[32] E.C. GERHART, Quote It, p.290

[33] First Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Lecture, 16^th January, 2004