And Kolkata gains too, as this morning’s papers carry news of Justice Patel’s elevation as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. For the citizens of Mumbai, the joy in the success of one of their own is tinged with a selfish sorrow, for they lose one of their greatest defenders in the judiciary.

Justice Patel has not been known to mince words when he takes up a matter agitating a public cause. Authorities do not like plain speaking from judges; they would rather have their plans and machinations masked in respectability. In the face of such pervasive venality in public life, Justice Patel has often been the one to call out when one of our emperors parade around in new clothes. Time after time he has tried to bridge the gap between law and justice.

Like Justice Rebello, Justice Patel was always kind to the junior Bar. A senior only had to sit beside the junior, secure in the knowledge that there would be no harsh words to the junior from the Bench. A large heart, a concern for the citizen and the environment, fearlessness and a refusal to be cowed by authorities — these are uncommon qualities, ones we need in a world that seems increasingly to go off-kilter day after day.

Justice Patel carries our best wishes with him. With a sufficiently long tenure ahead of him still, we hope to soon see him achieve ever higher positions.