Kohima, August 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) has mourned the passing away of Justice WA Shishak (Retd) on August 3 last. The NBA in a condolence message said that for the Bar in Nagaland, Justice WA Shishak was a mentor, a friend, philosopher and guide. Shishak was one of the founding members of the Nagaland Bar Association. “As an Advocate, he had a successful practice. He practiced in varied fields of law including serving as a Senior Government Advocate for the Government of Nagaland for about 7 years,” NBA recollected.
He was NBA President for three terms from 1981 to 1983, 1983 to 1985 and 1985 to 1988. He was elevated as a Judge of the Gauhati High Court on January 2, 1989. His elevation to Judgeship saw him embarking on a career that led to his further elevation as the 1st Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court on December 4, 2000 and then his appointment as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on January 24, 2002, where he served till his retirement on January 1, 2003, it stated.
“The authority and the trappings of his position as a Judge, did not affect his personality. His demeanour in court was warm and friendly, especially encouraging towards fresh entrants in the legal profession. At the same time, he was very strict in relation to courtroom etiquette and decorum. Proceedings in his court would sometimes result in personal anecdotes and/or illustrations concerning the dispensation of justice. He had firm opinions, but at the same time he also had an open mind. The Judgments he delivered were not purely legalistic but tinged with his deep rooted sense of right and wrong. In a nutshell, he did not lose his humanity because of his position as a Judge,” NBA stated.
It also added that NBA celebrated its Golden Jubilee on August 27, 2019. Justice WA Shishak was requested to attend the celebration and also to be one of the Speakers. He gladly accepted. “27.09.2019 was perhaps the last day that the members of the Nagaland Bar Association had the opportunity to interact with Justice WA Shishak,” it stated. “In his passing we have lost a giant in the legal fraternity of the State... He shall be deeply missed by the Bar of Nagaland,” the associated added.
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