Justice Sanjay Karol retires, urges young lawyers to attend court

Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Karol, who retired on August 23, 2025, urged young lawyers at his Supreme Court Bar Association farewell to attend court regularly, saying real professional training happens in the courtroom, not college. LiveLaw reports he said lawyers cannot learn to apply provisions like Article 14 or Article 21 only by studying them in college. Barandbench adds that Justice Karol also said every person in the government machinery, from the President to a constable, is a stakeholder in democracy, and a constable's lathi and whistle carry the voice of the Constitution.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant praised Justice Karol for encouraging young lawyers, noting that he often tells senior advocates when their juniors have argued well. LiveLaw reports CJI Kant said Justice Karol's courtroom was a space for dialogue, not confrontation, and that he preferred mediation and settlement. Justice Karol himself said the strength of judges lies in the Bar, and judges come and go but the Bar remains. He announced he would undergo mediator training on August 23, 2026.