New Delhi: It was the last day in office for Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud as Chief Justice of India (CJI).
At the end of an eventful tenure, Chandrachud reflected on his judicial journey with gratitude and humility.
“I won’t be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I am content,” said the outgoing CJI, who had taken the chair on November 9, 2022.
As he rose from the chair one last time, a viral picture shows Chandrachud bowling with folded hands, flanked by Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, with whom he shared benches of several high-profile cases in the Supreme Court of India.
Addressing a courtroom filled with his colleagues and members of the legal fraternity, the outgoing CJI shared his reflections and anecdotes. Chandrachud also sought forgiveness from those who may have been unintentionally hurt by him.
“Last evening, when my registrar judicial asked me what time the ceremonial should begin, I said 2 pm, thinking it would allow us to wrap up a lot of pending items. But I wondered -will anyone actually be here at 2 pm on a Friday afternoon? Or will I just be left looking at myself on the screen?” he revealed.
As a young lawyer, he recalled he used to observe the craft of arguments and learned valuable courtroom techniques from.
“We are here as pilgrims… the work we do can make or break cases. There have been great judges who have adorned this court and passed on this baton,” Chandrachud said.
In a touching gesture, Chandrachud quoted quoting a Jain phrase ‘Michhami Dukkadam’ to seek forgiveness.
“If I ever hurt anyone of you, I would like to say forgive me for anything which I didn’t intend to or hurt you.”
He heaped praise on his successor Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
“There is not going to be any difference when I leave this court because a person as stable as Justice Khanna will take over and is so dignified,” the outgoing CJI said.
Justice Khanna, who will be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 11, returned the compliment.
“I never had the chance to appear in Justice Chandrachud’s court, but what he has done for the marginalised and the needy is beyond compare,” said Justice Khanna.
Lawyers and members of the bar who were present in the courtroom to honour the outgoing Chief Justice, described him as “a rock star” of the judiciary.
As he rose Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Friday completed his last board of cases in the Supreme Court of India. A photo of him rising up from his Chair after completing his cases is going viral on social media.