Justice R B Budihal set to retire: receives farewell

Justice R B Budihal, who will be retiring from the Karnataka High Court on September 30, was given a heartwarming farewell by the Karnataka State Bar Council and the Advocates' Association, Bengaluru on Friday.

Justice Budihal served in the High Court for almost five years in various capacities including Registrar (Judicial), Registrar (Vigilance), Secretary to  Chief Justice and Registrar General.

He was appointed as the additional Judge of the High Court on October 24, 2013, and later was elevated to become the permanent Judge on March 4, 2016.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari recalled that a division bench consisting of Justice RB Budihal and Justice B A Patil were responsible for disposing of a majority of pending criminal appeals. Together they brought down the longest-serving appeal, which was pending for 18 years, to appeals that were pending for six to seven years in a matter of few months.

Justice Maheshwari also spoke of Justice Budihal's positivism, dedication and selfless attitude. "He is a man with no memo who will always be in our memories," he said.

Advocate General Uday Holla said, "Justice Budihal was so efficient he would deliver the judgement immediately or within a week if the case was complicated."

Holla recalled that Justice Budihal was one of the longest-serving Registrars of the High Court and stated that he was the backbone of the High Court's administration.

Bidding farewell, Justice R B Budihal said there is no substitute for hard work. Citing the example of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said Patel continued to cross-examine a witness even after receiving news of his wife's death, who was battling cancer.

Justice Budihal also encouraged the lawyers to serve the less privileged and fight for them.