Never dreamt of becoming a judge, wanted to become a good lawyer: Justice Tandon

Kolkata: Justice Harish Tandon, who was recently elevated as Chief Justice of Orissa high court, said he chose legal profession over the desire to become a cricketer. He was speaking at his farewell at Calcutta high court on Monday.
Coming from a family of lawyers, Justice Tandon was no stranger to the life of a legal profession. During his farewell, he remembered his scepticism while joining the profession and his fear of whether he will be able to match up to the commitment level of his father and grandfather.
"I never dreamt of becoming a judge when I joined. I just wanted to become a good lawyer," he said.
Born on Nov 16, 1964 to a family of lawyers, Justice Tandon graduated from Calcutta University and enrolled as an advocate on Sept 26, 1989. He started practising at Calcutta high court. He argued in civil and constitutional matters. He was appointed a permanent judge of Calcutta HC on April 13, 2010.
"...Having seen litigants come with a sense of indecisiveness and apprehension, and used to consult my father and grandfather for dispensation of justice. I have also seen the moments when the judgement was delivered and they would come to the house to meet my father and grandfather with a sense of joy, and a sense of satisfaction. From that day, it was deeply rooted in my heart to pursue the profession…" Justice Tandon said.
The Centre on Friday cleared his appointment. The recommendation for Justice Tandon's appointment, the senior-most judge of Calcutta HC, was made following the retirement of former Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on Jan 19.