Justice DY Chandrachud's Farewell Message as Chief Justice of India: "I Won't Be Able to Deliver Justice from Tomorrow, but I Am Content"

New Delhi: On his final day as Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud delivered a heartfelt message, reflecting on his time as the country's top judge. He said, “I won’t be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I am content.”

Justice Chandrachud, who became Chief Justice on November 9, 2022, completed his two-year term and shared a light moment from the previous evening. "When my registrar judicial asked what time the farewell should start, I said 2 pm, thinking we could finish pending work. But then I thought—will anyone even be here at 2 pm on a Friday? Or will I just be left looking at myself on the screen?"

He described judges as "pilgrims," who come to court each day to serve the public. Paying tribute to past judges, he said he felt confident leaving the Supreme Court in the capable hands of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who will become the next Chief Justice on November 11.

In a warm and humble gesture, Justice Chandrachud used the Jain phrase "Michhami Dukkadam," asking for forgiveness if he had ever hurt anyone unintentionally.

Lawyers and members of the bar praised Justice Chandrachud, calling him a “rock star” of the judiciary. Justice Khanna, his successor, shared a personal memory, recalling how Justice Chandrachud enjoyed having samosas at meetings, though he never ate them himself.

Justice Chandrachud made important changes at the Supreme Court, including setting up Mitti Cafe, which supports people with disabilities, and creating a special bar room for women lawyers.

During his term, he delivered major judgments. One of his notable decisions upheld the revocation of Article 370, asking that elections in Jammu and Kashmir take place by September 2024 and stressing that statehood should be restored soon. Another key ruling addressed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community: he chose not to alter the Special Marriage Act to recognize same-sex marriages, leaving that decision to lawmakers, but he firmly supported the community’s right to dignity and respect.

Justice Chandrachud also tackled the issue of electoral bonds, which allow anonymous donations to political parties. He ordered greater transparency, instructing the State Bank of India to stop issuing these bonds.

As he left the bench, Justice Chandrachud expressed satisfaction with his work and confidence in the future of the Supreme Court.