Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna delivered an emotional farewell on the day of his retirement, passing the torch to Justice BR Gavai, who will assume office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on Wednesday. Speaking from the ceremonial bench at the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna reflected on his judicial journey and expressed deep confidence in his successor.
“I am speechless. I carry a lot of memories. Once you are a lawyer, you remain a lawyer,” Chief Justice Khanna said, visibly moved. Emphasising the importance of public confidence in the judiciary, he added, “The public trust that the judiciary has cannot be commanded; it has to be earned — and the Supreme Court has done it.”
Justice Khanna, who served for two decades as a judge — first appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019 — officially took over as Chief Justice in November last year. Over his judicial tenure, he was part of several landmark rulings, including judgments on the abrogation of Article 370, the decriminalisation of adultery, the electoral bonds scheme, and the EVM-VVPAT verification case.
During the farewell ceremony, the outgoing Chief Justice acknowledged the diverse backgrounds of the judges in the Supreme Court, stating that such diversity enriches judicial decisions. He also acknowledged the role of the legal fraternity, saying, “Judiciary is a common term that represents the Bench and the Bar. The Bar is the conscience keeper.”
Justice Khanna praised Justice BR Gavai, describing him as his “biggest support.” “In him, you will have a great CJI. He will uphold the fundamental rights and liberty,” he said.
Later, while speaking to reporters, Justice Khanna humbly dismissed comparisons with his uncle, Justice HR Khanna, who is remembered for his courageous stand during the Emergency. “I can’t compare myself with HR Khanna. Those times were different. He was a person with a huge intellect,” he said.
With Justice Khanna stepping down, Justice BR Gavai will officially be sworn in as Chief Justice of India tomorrow, becoming the second Dalit judge in Indian history to hold the top judicial post.
Sources By Agencies