New Delhi: Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Friday (November 8) said that he might be probably one of the most trolled judges and added that he respects his opponents and his shoulders are broad enough to accept all the criticism.
CJI Chandrachud, who demits office on November 10, said this while speaking at the farewell function organised for him by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud quoted an Urdu Shayari by poet Bashir Badr
The outgoing CJI quoted an Urdu Shayari by poet Bashir Badr while remarking that he was probably one of the most trolled judges.
“I am probably one of the most trolled judges across the system. I will only say a shayari…Mukhalif se meri shaksiyat sanwarti hai Mein dushmano ka bada ehtiram karta hu (opposition betters my personality, I respect my opponents),” CJI Chandrachud said.
The CJI further added on a lighter vein that all those trolled him will be rendered unemployed from Monday.
“On a lighter vein, I am wondering what will happen from Monday. All those who trolled me will be rendered unemployed,” CJI Chandrachud said.
Some of changes made were in pursuance of my strong belief that sunlight is best disinfectant: CJI Chandrachud
The CJI further said that some of the changes he made were in pursuance of his strong belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant.
“Some of the changes we have made are in pursuance of my strong belief that sunlight is the best disinfectant. I know in so many which ways I have exposed my own personal life to public knowledge and when you expose your own life to public knowledge, you expose yourself to criticism, particularly in today’s social media age. But so be it. My shoulders are broad enough to accept all the criticism that we have faced,” CJI Chandrachud said.
I can say that this Court is in solid, stable and erudite hands: CJI Chandrachud
The CJI further said that nothing can happen without the support of colleagues and the Bar and said that support from his colleagues and the Bar had been crucial in implementing all the initiatives.
Thanking his colleagues and the Bar, the outgoing CJI said that “After having worked with brother Sanjiv (CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna) for such a long time, I can say that this Court is in solid, stable and erudite hands.”
CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna lauded ‘monumental’ contribution of CJI Chandrachud
CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna, in an emotional speech, lauded the outgoing CJI for his “monumental” contribution and said that CJI Chandrachud worked on a mission to improve the top court and pursued his goal of making the apex court “a sanctuary of inclusivity”, which was accessible to all.
The chief will be missed by us: CJI-designate Justice Sanjiv Khanna
“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,” Justice Khanna said and added, “As the chief prepares to demit the office soon, there will be, undoubtedly, a vacuum, both in the institution and for someone who had worked and lived with such dedication… Of course, the chief will be missed by us. We will miss your presence physically, but you will always be filled; you will be amongst us as one of us.”
CJI Chandrachud transformed judicial landscape through his various initiatives: Sibal
SCBA president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, speaking on the occasion, said that CJI Chandrachud dealt with complexities past CJIs did not tackle and transformed the judicial landscape through his various initiatives. He further said that CJI Chandrachud allowed people to criticise judges, rendered phenomenal judgments and his tenure was deeply rich, generative, bringing with it the development of a vast landscape of the law, thereby impacting the future course of the justice delivery system.”
“You’ve given access to millions of people to watch how judges are doing, how they are delivering justice. One day there’s going to be a forensic audit. You allowed people to criticise you. What can be braver than that… You’ve been a pioneer, a torchbearer and a ground-breaking innovator… You’ll be remembered for being one of the patient judges,” Sibal said.
