‘The Court Keeps Me Going’: CJI Chandrachud Signs Off With A ‘Thank You’ Speech
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Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud was given a farewell on the last day of his service at the Supreme Court on Friday.
Outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud (Photo: YouTube/SC)
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud was given a ceremonial farewell in the Supreme Court of India as he retired from judicial service on Friday.
In an online streaming of the Ceremonial Bench, the lawyers, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal, addressed the outgoing CJI and remembered his contribution to the judiciary. Justice Chandrachud, in his final address in the court, sought forgiveness in case he “ever hurt anyone”.
Sharing some light moments on the last day of Justice Chandrachud at the office, several lawyers, including Singhvi, expressed their willingness to know the “secret of your youthfulness”.
What did CJI Chandrachud say on his last day?
The outgoing Chief Justice of India remembered his initial days in the judiciary and said that those parts of the judiciary come to the court as “pilgrims”.
“When I was young I would come to this court, I would observe this Court and these two portraits in the Court,” he said.
“At night I was wondering that at 2 PM, the court would be empty, and I’ll looking at myself on the screen, I’m humbled by the presence of all of you. We are here as pilgrims, birds for a short passage of time, do our work, and leave….different people with diverse views will continue the institution…I know that the person after me is so stable, so solid- Justice Khanna, a person so dignified, so aware of the court, the historical perspectives,” CJI Chandrachud added.
In a remark displaying commitment to judiciary and justice, the CJI said that he wanted to hear as many matters as he could before the Ceremonial Bench would be listed, which would mark his farewell from the service.
“When my court staff asked me yesterday as to what time the Ceremonial Bench shall be listed, I asked him that I’ll do as many matters as I can…I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to do justice till the last time possible,” he said.
The CJI also apologised in case he “ever hurt anyone” and said that it is the court that kept him going. He thanked the lawyers for their presence in the Ceremonial Bench.
“It is this court which keeps me going ….we meet the people we possibly don’t know. I conclude by thanking all of you and each one of you, I learned so much about life today, and there is no case similar to an earlier case, If I ever hurt anyone in the court, I would like to just please forgive me …thank you very much for coming in such large numbers,” he said before signing off.
What did top lawyers say?
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it was the last time that he was addressing Justice Chandrachud and hailed his “complete impartiality” while imparting justice.
“We have always felt pleasure appearing before you. Your unmatched scholarship, and complete impartiality in the dispensation of justice, we never felt hesitant,” Mehta said.
“May I take the liberty of saying that DYC would really be missed,” the Solicitor General said.
Senior lawyer and Congress leader Kapil Sibal described the CJI as a man of “limitless patience”.
“I have never seen a judge with the kind of limitless patience that you have. The ever-smiling Justice Chandrachud,” Sibal said.
Singhvi lauded the CJI’s patience and also jested about the “secret behind his youthfulness”.
“Everybody complains that you continue to look the youngest. And unfortunately, your youthful looks make us feel the oldest. So you must tell the secret behind it,” he said.
