“Different people with diverse views will continue the institution”: CJI DY Chandrachud retires

At 2pm today, a battery of lawyers assembled in Courtroom number 1—not an uncommon sight in the Chief’s Court but this time, the air was different. The crowd had assembled not to argue before the bench, but to commemorate Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s last day at the Supreme Court. A Ceremonial Bench of CJI-designate Sanjiv Khanna with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra sat along with CJI Chandrachud. 

As the Chief entered the Court, the crowd smiled and stood. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta spoke first, hailing the Chief as the karta of the family. “We were never hesitant in good or bad matters before you… Not in one case we felt that we were not able to convey, or able to present a case… May I take the liberty of saying that DYC will really be missed!” 

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibal, went next. He recalled that in his 52 years in the Supreme Court, he had never seen a judge like Chandrachud with “limitless patience”. “You are an extraordinary son of an extraordinary father,” he said. “Your father dealt with the court when the court was tumultuous and you dealt when matters were tumultuous. There will be none like you who shall adorn that chair ever again.”

“An era of erudition”

After Sibal, a sea of lawyers and Senior Advocates conveyed their wishes and farewell messages to the Chief, with a mix of banter and nostalgia. Some read from penned-down notes, some spoke from their hearts as their voices trembled and others simply smiled. 

Notably, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi called the CJI’s tenure “a period that will be remembered for having given a helping hand to the underdog.” Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi termed it an “era of erudition” and stated that nobody had gone away from this Court feeling that they had not been heard. Senior Advocate Manu Singhvi lauded the infrastructural and technological developments made by the Chief, the Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman complimented the CJI’s temperament: “It shall be known by 5Cs: Calm, cool, composed, neither critical nor condemning.” Senior Advocates Madhavi Diwan, Menaka Guruswamy, Siddharth Dave and Shikhil Suri, also shared anecdotes and bid farewell to the Chief. 

Justice Khanna: “He has made my task easy and difficult”

CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna wished the Chief on behalf of the bench. “He has made my task easy and tough. Easy because of the revolutions ushered in and tough because I cannot walk up to him, he will be sorely missed.” 

He added that his chamber was filled with cards sent by children of the underprivileged community, wishing farewell to CJI DY Chandrachud. On a lighter note, he also spoke about CJI’s vegan preference, his habit of waking up at 4am, his love for samosas, music and sports.

CJI DY Chandrachud: “It is this Court which keeps me going”

CJI Chandrachud spoke last, reminiscing about his formative years, a career as a lawyer and as a judge. He recalled going to the Bombay High Court as a child, and seeing a portrait of Justice Chagla. He said, “When I was young I used to see how to argue and learn court craft. We are here as pilgrims to work and the work we do can make or break cases. There have been great judges who have adorned this court and passed on this baton.” 

He also conveyed his wishes to Justice Khanna. “There is not going to be any difference when I leave this court because 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.” 

Lastly, in a moment of reflection, he added that when someone asked him what keeps him going, he answered: “It is this Court which keeps me going.”

He concluded by thanking members of the bar and the bench. “I learnt so much about life today,” he said. He folded his hands, closed his eyes, bent his head and said: “Micchhami Dukkadam, if I ever hurt any one of you, please forgive me.” 

And with that, India’s 50th Chief Justice exited the Court one last time.