šØ Shocking Exit! Why Justice Bela Trivedi's Farewell Was Boycotted š±āļø
- MediaFx
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read

TL;DR:Ā Justice Bela M. Trivedi retired from the Supreme Court on May 16, 2025, without the customary farewell from the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).Ā Her tenure was marked by controversial decisions, particularly her consistent denial of bail in high-profile cases involving activists and opposition leaders.Ā Critics accuse her of being pro-government and anti-civil liberties, leading to her unpopularity among the legal fraternity.
š« No Farewell for Justice Trivedi: A Break from Tradition
Justice Bela M. Trivedi's retirement was notably devoid of the traditional farewell ceremony by the SCBA, a move that drew criticism from Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai.Ā The CJI expressed his disapproval, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ceremonial customs within the judiciary.Ā The SCBA cited logistical issues, stating that Justice Trivedi declined the farewell due to her impending travel plans.Ā
š§āāļø A Tenure Marked by Controversy
Justice Trivedi's tenure in the Supreme Court was fraught with controversy.Ā She was known for her stringent stance on bail, often denying it in cases involving activists and opposition leaders.Ā Notable instances include the denial of bail to activist Umar Khalid, who eventually withdrew his petition after repeated adjournments, and the suspension of bail granted to Mahesh Raut, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case.Ā
Her decisions often aligned with the government's stance, leading to accusations of bias.Ā For instance, she upheld the acquittal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni in a 2000 murder case and granted protection from arrest to BJP Union Minister Nisith Pramanik in an attempted murder case.Ā
āļø Clashes with the Legal Fraternity
Justice Trivedi's interactions with lawyers were also a point of contention.Ā She was known for her strict courtroom demeanor and had several clashes with members of the bar.Ā In one instance, she initiated contempt proceedings against two lawyers for allegedly including false statements in a petition, demanding their physical presence along with travel tickets to prove their claims.Ā
šļø MediaFx Opinion: A Reflection on Judicial Impartiality
Justice Trivedi's tenure raises important questions about judicial impartiality and the role of the judiciary in upholding civil liberties.Ā Her consistent denial of bail in cases involving dissenters and opposition figures, coupled with her perceived alignment with the ruling party, underscores the need for a judiciary that remains independent and unbiased.Ā The absence of a farewell ceremony, while unprecedented, reflects the legal fraternity's disapproval of her