The farewell programme of Justice, Songkhupchung Serto, Judge of Gauhati High Court was organized by Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench and the Department of Law & Justice at Multipurpose Hall, Kohima Bench on 24th February 2023.

Justice Songkhupchung Serto, in his farewell speech, said he served the state for six and half years as a Judge in Kohima High Court. He admitted that during his tenure, he had not been confronted with any complaints from his officers and staff as they have shared and faced all problems together and the achievement and milestone of the office was due to their combined efforts and a deep sense of understanding. He also added that they worked together as a small family with a calm and friendly working environment and the service of everyone in the court had assisted and helped him to produce judgment and order and also said he did not feel any tension or fear in the courtroom or the registry as they work together to find the truth.

He also said the Rule of Law is national philosophy and the theme, vision, and purpose is to ensure peace, tranquility, and progress, he called upon them to have an interest to respect and protect rule of law and not be tired of doing so, as the civilization of a society or nation is measured by their level of respect of the rule of law.

Serto said with new schemes of court-related infrastructures and renovations from the Ministry of Law, district court infrastructures can progress inch by inch in a matter of 10 years and added that to have judicial officers and judges in the district with high calibers with the best talent good facilities are required.

Justice Kakheto Sema, Judge Gauhati High Court who also shared his farewell reference described the outgoing Justice, Songkhupchung Serto as a man having the value of an administrator, a judge, an extraordinary person having vast experience and knowledge, and a person with love and compassion who looked after the welfare of the people, the welfare of the lawyers and the junior advocates, Justice Kakheto Sema stated that Justice Serto was a guiding force of the judiciary of the state, and pointed out that after he resumed office, the office of the session judge had seen so many developments.

Addresses were also delivered by Registrar, GHC Kohima Bench, Neiko Akami, NJS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Law & Justice, Talirenba, President, Nagaland Judicial Officers Association (NJOA) Khesheli Chishi, NJS, Member Secretary, NSLSA, Victo Sema, NJS, President, High Court Bar Association (HCBA) C.T. Jamir, Senior Advocate, Addl. Advocate General, VihelieSuokhrie, Executive Engineer PWD Housing, Lanu Jamir, and other senior advocates and lawyers while the welcome address was delivered by Joint Registrar, Rajenlung.

Folk songs were presented by Lidi Krou while the High Court Ensemble presented a special song. The programme was compared by Advocate, Kezhosano Kikhi.

(Maongtemjen, IA)