Overview

• Justice Abhay S. Oka retired on May 24, 2025, after nearly four years on the Supreme Court, delivering 11 judgments on his last working day, just a day after his mother's funeral.
• He criticized the Supreme Court's Chief Justice-centric administrative structure, advocating for a more democratic approach similar to High Courts.
• Justice Oka reaffirmed the judiciary's role as a guardian of constitutional liberties, emphasizing the need for judges to uphold the Constitution even at the cost of popularity.
• Known for landmark rulings on privacy, free speech, environmental protection, and rights of the marginalized, Justice Oka's tenure was marked by integrity and tireless work ethic.
• He rejected the tradition of retiring judges abstaining from work on their last day, stating his commitment to duty and disdain for the word 'retirement.'