Chief Justice DY Chandrachud bids farewell, seeks forgiveness: "If I ever hurt anyone, please forgive me"

On Friday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivered his farewell speech from the Supreme Court’s Ceremonial Bench, concluding his tenure as the 50th Chief Justice. Justice Chandrachud, who assumed the role in November 2022, thanked the gathering of judicial colleagues, court staff, and public attendees. He acknowledged the volume of support he received in managing numerous high-stakes cases and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He described the unique nature of each case handled by the judiciary, stating, "there is no case similar to an earlier case,” emphasizing the challenging and dynamic nature of judicial work.

In a reflective moment, Justice Chandrachud asked for forgiveness for any unintentional hurt caused during his time on the bench. “If I ever hurt anyone in the court, I would like you to just please forgive me,” he stated, highlighting the interpersonal aspects of judicial duties. Justice Chandrachud served on the Supreme Court since May 2016, leading judgments across various domains, including privacy rights, gender equality, and the independence of the judiciary.

On his last working day, Justice Chandrachud made it a priority to hear as many cases as possible before the Ceremonial Bench proceedings. He informed his court staff of his desire to “do justice till the last time possible.” This was in line with his judicial philosophy, focusing on accessibility and timely justice, a principle he reinforced during his term as Chief Justice, overseeing numerous public interest cases and administrative reforms to reduce backlog.

Justice Chandrachud also took the opportunity to commend his successor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to become the next Chief Justice of India. He praised Justice Khanna as “stable, solid, and dignified,” noting his composure and integrity. Justice Khanna, appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019, has a notable judicial record on issues such as personal liberty, procedural fairness, and transparency. His term as Chief Justice will continue the priorities set by Justice Chandrachud. The farewell address concluded with Justice Chandrachud reflecting on the temporary yet impactful nature of a judge’s service. He likened judges to “pilgrims” who contribute for a time and then move on, underscoring the role’s commitment to public duty.