Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the Chief Justice of India-designate, delivered a heartfelt tribute to outgoing Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Friday, celebrating his “monumental” impact on the Supreme Court. During the farewell event organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Justice Khanna remarked on the significant void Chandrachud’s departure would leave.
Praising CJI Chandrachud’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, Justice Khanna said, “When a towering tree in the forest of justice steps back, the birds pause their songs, and the wind moves differently. Other trees shift and adjust to fill the void. But the forest will never be quite the same again.”
Justice Khanna highlighted CJI Chandrachud’s legacy, noting his calm demeanor and landmark rulings, including an impressive 38 constitutional bench judgments. He also emphasized Chandrachud’s dedication to modernizing the court, from expanding facilities to implementing technology-driven reforms like live streaming, hybrid hearings, AI translation, and e-filing—all of which have made the court more accessible to litigants and lawyers.
Additionally, Justice Khanna admired Chandrachud’s commitment to inclusivity, mentioning initiatives like the Mitti Cafe—a space in the court run entirely by differently-abled individuals—and his broader efforts to create a welcoming environment within the court.
Borrowing a line from Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” Justice Khanna concluded, “Chief, you truly did it your way.”
