Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, in his farewell remarks on Friday, asked for “forgiveness” in case he “hurt anyone”. He also expressed gratitude for his journey through the justice system until he retired from the bench.

“I thank each and every one of you and there is no case like any previous case. If I ever hurt anyone in court, I would like you to forgive me. Thank you for coming to so many,” he said in his farewell speech.

The 50th Chief Judiciary of India also said that there is no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need and serve the society.

“You asked me what keeps me going. It’s this court that kept me going, because there isn’t a single day when you feel that you haven’t learned something, that you don’t you haven’t had the opportunity to serve society And there is no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need and people you will never meet, people you may never know. – maybe not even, people whose lives you have the capacity to influence without ever having seen them,” he added.

Chandrachud praises Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s successor

The outgoing CJI will now be replaced by Sanjiv Khanna, appointed by the CJI. Chandrachud delivered his final remarks as he led a ceremonial pew held for his retirement. He also said he tried to hear “as many questions as possible” before members of the ceremonial bench were put on the list.

“When my court staff asked me yesterday what time the ceremonial judges would be docked, I responded that I would handle as many cases as possible…I would not want to miss the opportunity to dispense justice until the last possible time,” said CJI Chandrachud.

Chandrachud, who took office as the country’s 50th Chief Justice in November two years ago, also spoke about his successor Justice Khanna, calling him “so stable, solid and dignified” a person.

“So I am sure that my departure from here will not make the slightest difference to the Court, especially because I know that the person who will follow me is so stable, so solid – Justice Khanna, such a worthy person, so aware of the situation, the historical perspectives”, underlined the outgoing CJI, expressing his confidence in his successor.

On his last day, Chandrachud received an overwhelming response from the bar association comprising several senior lawyers, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Attorney General R Venkataramani and SCBA President Kapil Sibal. The young lawyers also praised him for his judicial and administrative contributions.

Chandrachud also recalled his journey, which he said began when he was a young law student sitting in the back row of the court. He emphasized that each day spent at the Court helped him learn and grow both legally and personally.

“I have always been aware of the overwhelming presence of the greats of this court and the responsibility that came with sitting in that chair. But ultimately it is not about the individual, it is about the “institution and the cause of justice that we defend here,” the CJI said.

In an emotional conclusion, CJI Chandrachud thanked all those who contributed to his journey – senior lawyers, officers, juniors and staff – acknowledging that they played a role in shaping his understanding of life and law.

Justice Khanna wished him luck saying, “He made my task easy and difficult. Easy because of the revolutions introduced and difficult because I can’t walk towards him. We will miss him very much. His youth is not only known here, but also abroad.”

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