On his last day as Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud shared a heartfelt farewell. Sitting on the ceremonial bench, he spoke with a mix of humility and humor, acknowledging that his time as the country’s top judge had come to an end. “I won’t be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I am content,” he said, expressing peace with his journey.
Chandrachud, who became Chief Justice on November 9, 2022, finished his two-year term today. He recounted a funny moment from the previous night when his registrar asked what time the ceremony should start. “I said 2 pm, hoping it would let us finish some pending work. But I wondered—would anyone really be here on a Friday afternoon, or would I just be looking at myself on the screen?”
Reflecting on the life of a judge, he likened it to being a “pilgrim,” coming to court daily with a dedication to serve. “Our work can make or break cases,” he noted. He also honored the legacy of former judges and expressed confidence in Justice Sanjiv Khanna, his successor. “If I have hurt anyone, please forgive me,” he said, using the Jain phrase “Michhami Dukkadam,” which means “May my misdeeds be forgiven.”
Lawyers and colleagues gathered to bid him farewell, calling him “a rock star” of the judiciary. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who will officially take over on November 11, added a warm note. “Though I never appeared in Justice Chandrachud’s court, I deeply respect his work for the marginalized and the needy,” he said. Khanna also mentioned Chandrachud’s love for samosas, recalling how they were served in nearly every meeting, even though he rarely ate them himself.
Chandrachud’s tenure was marked by several positive changes, like the setup of Mitti Cafe, which provides jobs to people with disabilities, a new bar room for women lawyers, and various beautification projects around the Supreme Court.
Over his two years, Justice Chandrachud made notable contributions. He led the bench that upheld the revocation of Article 370, reshaping Jammu and Kashmir’s politics and directing elections to be held by September 2024, urging a quick restoration of statehood. He also made headlines with a ruling on same-sex marriage, leaving legal recognition to the government but strongly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and dignity.
Another significant decision was his move to dismantle the electoral bonds scheme, pushing for transparency in political funding and requiring the State Bank of India to stop issuing these bonds.
