At what is usually a moment of reflection and gratitude, Justice Duppala Venkata Ramana of the Madhya Pradesh High Court chose to speak from the heart as he retired on Tuesday — sharing a deeply personal and emotional journey marked by struggle, disappointment, and quiet strength.

“It was a remarkable period of my life,” he said at his farewell in Indore, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

Justice Ramana spoke openly about his painful transfer from the Andhra Pradesh High Court to Madhya Pradesh in 2023. He said he had requested a posting in Karnataka instead, so his wife could receive treatment for a serious medical condition at NIMHANS in Bengaluru. But his appeal was ignored.

"I submitted written requests in July and August 2024, explaining her condition, but I got no reply," he said. "Even earlier requests went unanswered. I expected some compassion — but there was none."

He believed the transfer was not just routine but done with bad intent. “It seemed like it was meant to harass me. I was moved out of my home state for reasons that are obvious,” he said.

"Those who did this are now retired. I’m happy to have satisfied their egos. But God does not forgive nor forget. They will also face the consequences in their own way."

Despite his pain, Justice Ramana’s speech carried dignity. A first-generation lawyer, he began his journey in 1994 as a judicial magistrate and rose through the ranks facing many challenges.

"I’ve seen poverty, struggle, and silent suffering. But I’ve also seen hope. Hard work is the only path to success."

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., he said: “The true test of a man is where he stands in times of challenge, not comfort.”

Justice Ramana said he was constantly under scrutiny and faced conspiracies throughout his career. "My family suffered, but I always believed truth will win — Satyamev Jayate."

Still, he thanked the Bar and fellow judges in Madhya Pradesh for their support. “The transfer was meant to shake me, but it didn’t. I made the best of it.”

“I never claimed to be a great or scholarly judge, but I always believed justice must reach the common man,” he said as he concluded his farewell on a note of strength and reflection.