A farewell ceremony was organized at the Supreme Court on Friday, the last working day of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. During this visit, CJI shared many important things related to his family, parents, personal life and career and also narrated his experiences. DY Chandrachud said, “We, as judges, take decisions on complex issues, but what is most important to us is the impact of our decisions on the lives of ordinary citizens.”
I’m worried about what will happen from Monday?
On his last day of work as Chief Justice of India on Friday, Justice DY Chandrachud said he has strong enough shoulders to accept criticism. At a farewell event organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, he said with a laugh: “Maybe I am the person who is trolled the most. But I am worried about what will happen from Monday. The people who used to troll me will be left without “You’ve exposed your personal life to public knowledge and when you do, you open yourself up to criticism, especially in today’s age of social media, but I have strong shoulders to withstand all kinds of criticism.”
The Chief Justice quoted a poem by Urdu poet Bashir Badr: “My personality is enhanced by the Caliphate, I respect my enemies a lot.” He also admitted that he has faced a lot of trolling. CJI Chandrachud stressed on maintaining transparency during his tenure and said his commitment to reforms was transparency. He said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
CJI delivered an emotional speech
On this last day of his mandate, he gave an emotional speech full of gratitude and humility for his judicial career. Surrounded by his colleagues and the legal community, Chandrachud shared his personal experiences and accolades. He also apologized to those who may have inadvertently been hurt by something he said.
He said: “Yesterday afternoon, when my court registrar asked me when to schedule the ceremony, I was told it could be scheduled at 2 p.m. so that many cases could be resolved. I thought, will there be anyone in this court? On Friday at 2 in the afternoon,” he said smiling. “Or will I see myself on the screen?”
Justice Chandrachud expressed his admiration for the traditions of the Indian judiciary and said that as a young lawyer he witnessed the art of argument and learned important tricks of court work. He said: “We are here to work as pilgrims and our work can decide the course of any matter. “Great judges have decorated this court and left their legacy here.”
Praised successor to Justice Sanjeev Khanna
He also said about his successor Justice Sanjiv Khanna, “Even after my departure, there will be no difference in this court because a stable and dignified person like Justice Khanna will occupy this position.”
Speaking about his source of inspiration during his tenure, he said: “When you ask me what inspires me, this is it. It’s a journey as a judge. I thank you all, you all taught me a lot about law and life. “Even today, handling 45 cases, I have learned a lot about life.”
In a touching moment, Chandrachud apologized to everyone: “If anyone has ever felt hurt by anything I said, I’m sorry, it was never my intention. Please forgive me.”
On his last day of work, prominent lawyers and members of the judiciary paid tribute to him for his profound impact on the Indian judicial sector. Along with him, Justice Sanjeev Khanna, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra also took their seats on the ceremonial bench. DY Chandrachud was praised for his legal knowledge and humanitarian approach towards justice.
What did Chief Justice DY Chandrachud say?
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud thanked everyone for the honor received during the farewell ceremony. At his farewell ceremony, the Chief Justice shared emotional thoughts about his father and his judicial experiences. He said that his father was very disciplined but never imposed discipline on his children. The CJI said, “My father had bought a small apartment in Pune. When I asked him why, he said he knew that I would not live in it. He told me to keep this apartment until you were a judge.” that you know that if your ethics are attacked, you will have a place to hide your head.
Our decisions impact the common citizen: CJI
Talking about the motivation behind his judicial work, the CJI said, “We, as judges, judge on complex matters, but what is most important to us is the impact of our decisions on the lives of ordinary citizens. Recently, we allowed two blind candidates to do so. They showed up for the interview and then told us that they had passed the exam and were included in the shortlist.
He also gave some other examples: “Some time ago, a doctor who had scored excellent in NEET despite suffering from muscular dystrophy was denied admission in MBBS. We examined him medically and then he was admitted. Similarly, the son of a daily wage worker could not get into the IIT because he could not pay the fees on time, we intervened and got him admitted.
Chief Justice Chandrachud said, “The time I spent in Allahabad changed my judicial outlook forever.”
He remembered the early days of Allahabad.
Recalling his early days, he said that when he became the chief justice of the Allahabad High Court, he was adorned with 15 to 25 marigold flowers at every function. He said: “My wife used to say that marigold flowers stain your shirt, so I told her not to bother so much, there is no need for flowers. But then I realized that those flowers were for them to take pictures. “The flowers I received today, I felt in my heart that they were for me.”
Remembered mother too.
Chandrachud also shared a verse in memory of his mother, “Aushadham Jahnavi Toyam Vaidyo Narayano Harih”, which means medicine is as pure as Ganga and Vaidya as Lord Narayana. He said: “When I was a child, I did not know the meaning of this verse, I only knew that after it one would receive bitter medicine.” He said, “Aushad (medicine) should be considered as sacred as the water of the Ganges, and the doctor (Vaidya) should be considered as sacred as Lord Narayana.”
Sharing his childhood memories, he said, “I was a sick child and used to get sick often. My mother took care of my recovery throughout the night. She used to sing this verse which meant that medicine is like Ganga and Vaidya is in the place of Narayana. At that time I didn’t know its meaning, I only knew that after this, bitter medicine was available.”
CJI Chandrachud further said, “My mother dominated my house and even today women of Odisha take leadership in the house. However, my mother never interfered in my decisions.”
What did Kapil Sibal say?
During this, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal also delivered a valedictory speech and during the same he also mentioned many important decisions. Sibal said, “We can criticize any judge because there is no perfection in life. The truth is also relative. We must evaluate a judge in the context of the times he lives in. As we write about Justice Chandrachud, we will discuss his decisions, his simplicity, patience and calm nature. All these qualities make him one of the best judges in this country.”
Sibal further said, “Thank you because you always listened to us, even if we did not agree, but I salute your spirit of listening. You are a pioneer, whether protecting the rights of the disabled or strengthening the dignity of the individual.” “, or her efforts to break issues of caste and gender stereotypes that many people ignored. Her patience and passion for the law are unmatched.” Sibal concluded his speech by reciting a poem: “I want to stay from the beginning, you are a class apart…”
Attorney General also shared emotional moments
At the same time, on this occasion, the Attorney General said: ‘People who occupy important positions in the judiciary are also human beings and have to shoulder great responsibilities. He praised the humanitarian aspect of CJI Chandrachud and said he allowed female employees to work from home and provided daycare facilities in the court. Many of these small and delicate incidents will become part of your judicial diary.
What did the newly appointed CJI say?
During this, newly appointed CJI Sanjeev Khanna said, “When a huge tree of justice recedes, the winds blow differently, other trees try to fill that gap, but the forest never remains the same.” He said, “Chandrachud Saheb is an equally profound scholar and jurist. I admire your patience and work ethic. Under his leadership, new buildings were built at the court and a special war room was established. “His leadership intended to make the court a center of inclusion.”
