State's judiciary one of the finest in the country: new CJ

Karnataka's judiciary is one of the finest in the country, said the new Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka Dinesh Maheshwari on Wednesday.

Justice Maheshwari was speaking at a welcome function organised by the Advocates Association, Bangalore in the city.

The new chief justice was adorned with the Mysore Peta and a shawl.

Speaking about the issue of judicial vacancies in the court, Justice Maheshwari said the 60% vacancy would be reduced by 10%, with five new judges taking oath of office on Wednesday.

He said it is a great sense of satisfaction for any judge who heads the High Court of Karnataka. He extended his gratitude to acting chief justice H G Ramesh and all judges who welcomed him.

A cricket enthusiast, Justice Maheshwari recalled a moment from the life of erstwhile cricketing giant W G Grace. Once during a match when the umpire declared him out, he is known to have said, "They came to see me bat, not you umpire," which was true as everyone did come to see him bat.

He said judges were like umpires who declare the result by way of passing orders, the real players are the advocates and the court is the cricket field.

He assured the legal fraternity that "there is no stopping for us and we will do everything we can to fill every gap in extending true justice".

The chief justice said he would always be accessible and anyone could reach out to him for help.

The welcome session was attended by all judges, senior counsels, the advocate general and members of the bar.