Mohd Irfan
Jammu, Janipur District Court Complex – In a heartfelt address at a grand retirement function, District and Sessions Judge Rafiq Ahmad Chak impressed upon judicial officers the importance of upholding justice for aggrieved and dejected litigants.
He emphasized that those seeking justice come to the courts only after exhausting all other options and that judicial officers must sincerely uphold the trust reposed in them by the litigants.
Currently serving as the Chairman of the J&K Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal, Rafiq Ahmad Chak made these remarks while addressing a distinguished gathering of judicial officers and employees at the District Court Complex, Janipur, Jammu. The event was attended by esteemed members of the judiciary and legal fraternity, marking the distinguished career and contributions of Judge Chak.
Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Haq Nawaz Zargar, delivered a poignant speech lauding the exemplary career of Judge Chak. Recalling his own early days in the judiciary, Zargar emphasized that judicial officers should take inspiration from Chak’s commitment to justice, craftsmanship, and relations with judicial employees and advocates.
“Wherever he served, whether in Udhampur, Shopian, Anantnag, or Ramban, he upheld the highest standards of judicial service. As CJM Ramban and CJM Udhampur, his contributions were truly commendable,” Zargar remarked. Heaping praise on Chak’s judicial acumen, Zargar called him a guiding light for the judiciary, acknowledging his relentless dedication and integrity in dispensing justice.
In his presidential address, Rafiq Ahmad Chak reminisced about his career and the colleagues he worked with. He emphasized that being a presiding officer is no easy task and requires unwavering dedication. “Judicial officers must understand that litigants trust us with their grievances, often involving matters worth crores of rupees. It is our duty to ensure their faith in the judicial system remains intact,” he asserted.
Chak also shed light on the importance of safeguarding security cheques and other financial instruments submitted in court proceedings. He pointed out that while there are no official lockers or storage facilities for such instruments, judges must ensure the integrity of these transactions, underscoring the judiciary’s role in maintaining trust and accountability.
Drawing a vivid analogy, Chak compared judges to drivers of a vehicle, stating, “You are the body and tires of the judicial system. If the tires puncture, the vehicle halts. If there is too much or too little air, it affects the journey. This balance is what we call judicial responsibility.”
Speaking to media personnel on the sidelines of the function, Rafiq Ahmad Chak reflected on his 25 years of service, stating that his primary goal was always the dispensation of justice. “Every government servant retires one day, but my mission to deliver justice does not end here. I will continue to serve society in other ways,” he affirmed.
He reiterated that judges must ensure justice is served, as litigants turn to courts as their last hope. He urged his colleagues to always prioritize fairness and transparency in their judgments.
Judicial employees and officers present at the occasion hailed Chak as a man of principles and a beacon of justice. They lauded his unwavering commitment to the judiciary and his compassion for the underprivileged. Many described him as a real messiah of the poor who tirelessly worked to ensure justice was served to all.
The retirement function witnessed the presence of esteemed judicial officers, including C.L. Bavoria, Presiding Officer MACT; R.S. Jasrotia, 1st Additional Sessions Judge; Ritesh Dubey, 2nd Additional Sessions and District Judge; Amit Sharma, Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu; and several other judicial dignitaries and employees.
The gathering extended their best wishes to Rafiq Ahmad Chak for his future endeavors while acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the judiciary. As the legal fraternity bid farewell to an illustrious judge, the event served as a testament to the enduring impact of Rafiq Ahmad Chak’s service to justice and law. His words of wisdom and call for unwavering commitment to justice will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of judicial officers to come.
