Fri May 23 09:15:26 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Outgoing Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka stated that a judge must be firm and willing to cause offense when necessary, emphasizing that his own perceived harshness stemmed from his commitment to upholding the Constitution.
**News Article:**
**Outgoing Justice Oka Defends Firmness, Says Offense Sometimes Necessary to Uphold Constitution**
NEW DELHI – Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka, in remarks made ahead of his retirement, defended his approach as a judge, stating that firmness and a willingness to potentially offend are necessary qualities for those tasked with upholding the Constitution.
Justice Oka asserted that any perception of harshness on his part was solely driven by his commitment to adhering to the principles and provisions enshrined in the Constitution. He implied that sticking to these principles inevitably requires tough decisions that may displease some parties.
“A judge has to be firm and be able to offend,” Justice Oka stated, emphasizing that his decisions were guided by constitutional imperatives.
The remarks come as Justice Oka prepares to step down from the Supreme Court, leaving behind a legacy marked by numerous significant judgments and interventions on matters of public importance. His comments are likely to spark debate about the role of judicial temperament and the fine line between impartiality and the need for decisive action in the pursuit of justice.
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