No greater feeling than serving those in need: Outgoing Chief Justice

“There is no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need and people he never knew or met,” outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Friday.

At a farewell function organised by the SC Bar Association (SCBA), the CJI said his shoulders were broad enough to accept all criticism as he believed in transparency in public life and the dogma that “sunlight is the best disinfectant”. Justice Chandrachud, who is the 50th CJI, said he was probably one of the most trolled individuals and judges across the system. He then took a swipe at the social media trollers and said in a lighter vein that they would become “unemployed” from Monday. The CJI made these remarks on his last working day in office on Friday.

Justice Chandrachud stepped into the shoes of his illustrious father YV Chandrachud, who served as the longest CJI between 1978 and 1985, on November 9, 2022. He will retire on November 10.

In the recent weeks, Justice Chandrachud had faced criticism after he invited PM Modi for Ganesh puja to his home and his remarks that he had prayed to God for a solution to the vexed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.

CJI designate Sanjiv Khanna and Bar leaders lauded his contributions. SCBA president Kapil Sibal said he allowed people to criticise judges and transformed the judicial landscape by allowing online access to court proceedings.