Justice Khanna bids adieu to Chief Justice Chandrachud: When a towering tree…

Chief Justice of India-designate Sanjiv Khanna, in an emotional speech on Friday, praised CJI DY Chandrachud and said that “when a towering tree of justice steps back, the winds move differently.”

Highlighting the profound impact of the outgoing Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice Khanna said, “The forest will never be quite the same again.” “From Monday, we will feel the change deeply; an emptiness will resonate through the sandstone pillars of this court, a quiet echo within the hearts of the members of the bar and the bench alike,” he added.

At a farewell event for CJI, organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Khanna underscored Chandrachud’s qualities as a scholar and a jurist and said that he is “calm and composed both in court and in life.”

“Thirty-eight constitutional bench judgements, including two just pronounced today. This is a record that will remain unbroken,” the CJI-designate said.

Addressing the event, Attorney General R Venkatramani spoke about Chief Justice Chandrachud’s approach to humanising the judiciary, noting how, under his leadership, the Supreme Court made allowances for female clerks working from home, provided crèche facilities, and took steps that showed a compassionate understanding of the workforce’s needs. These small but meaningful gestures, he said, would remain in the court’s legacy.

In a heartfelt tribute, Senior Advocate and SCBA President Kapil Sibal commended Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for his leadership and willingness to address critical issues before the nation’s top court. Sibal emphasised that while there may be disagreements, respect for Chandrachud’s openness and dedication remains paramount.

“We may not agree with you; it’s not necessary to agree, but we must salute you for being willing to hear those issues,” Sibal said, acknowledging the challenges CJI Chandrachud took on that others might have hesitated to address.

Reflecting on Chandrachud’s work, Sibal noted that his contributions would not only be remembered for what he achieved but also for his approach to sensitive matters. “You will be remembered for what you have done and what you have not done,” he added.

CJI Chandrachud began his tenure on November 8, 2022, succeeding Uday Umesh Lalit, who served as the 49th CJI from August 27, 2022 to November 8, 2022.