Citing severe situation and sufferings the world over” due to the coronavirus disease outbreak, Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra on Sunday declined farewell invitations of bar bodies. Justice Mishra, who superannuates on September 2, is a part of benches pronouncing key judgements in cases including verdict of punishment to activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan in a contempt case and timelines for payment of AGR dues by telcos.

Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra turns down Supreme Court Bar Association invite for a farewell function to be organised ahead of his retirement on Sept 2.

Justice Mishra says, my conscience doesn’t permit me to participate any farewell function, due to COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/mPhVp5lZzg

— ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2020

“I am grateful for your kind invitation inviting me in the farewell function… I have always considered the bar as the mother of the judiciary, and it would have been a great pleasure to attend said function,” Justice Mishra wrote in the letter.

Declining the requests made by bar bodies, Justice Mishra said, “However, taking into consideration the severe situation and sufferings the world over on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, my conscience does not permit me to participate in any farewell function.”