‘Overwhelmed’: CJI Sanjiv Khanna Bids Farewell, Says Justice Gavai Will Uphold Supreme Court’s Values

CJI Sanjiv Khanna

On his last working day as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna said he was “overwhelmed” by the affection and respect shown to him and expressed full confidence in his successor, Justice B.R. Gavai, stating that the Supreme Court’s legacy of upholding constitutional values would continue under his leadership.

Justice Khanna formally demitted office on Monday, concluding a brief but impactful tenure at the helm of the judiciary.

A Dignified

Addressing a ceremonial farewell in the Supreme Court’s courtroom No. 1, Justice Khanna reflected on his judicial journey, thanking colleagues at the Bar and Bench for their support and dedication to justice. He also acknowledged the institution’s pivotal role in safeguarding democratic values and fundamental rights.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the kind words and gestures. I am confident that Justice Gavai, as the next Chief Justice, will carry forward the honour and values of this great institution,” he said.

“I have attended many farewells over the last 50 years

Today, I am simply happy

I feel blessed to have retired as the Chief Justice of India

It was truly a dream come true

I still remember seeing my father begin his career as a Civil Judge, and later as a Judge of the Delhi High Court.

Those early memories left a deep impact on me.

From 2000 to 2005, I had my share of challenging times.

I came to understand how demanding and exhausting the life of a judge could be.

There were days when we handled 75 to 100 matters in a very short span.

I reserved many judgments during that period.

At the age of 59, I was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

At 64, I became the Chief Justice of India.

This morning, on my last working day, I felt a deep sense of peace and fulfillment.

It marks the beginning of a new chapter in life.

These 40 years in the legal profession have truly shaped who I am.

My mother was a professor. She never wanted me to become a lawyer.

As an advocate, it took me 17 long years to finally get a chamber of my own.”

Incoming CJI Gavai

Justice B.R. Gavai, who is set to take over as the 50th Chief Justice of India, is currently the senior-most judge after Justice Khanna. His appointment was recently notified by the President of India, following the established seniority convention.

Justice Gavai, who hails from Maharashtra and is the second Dalit CJI in Indian history, will assume office amid rising focus on judicial independence, pendency, and digitization of courts.

Bar & Bench

Senior advocates, members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), and fellow judges paid heartfelt tributes to Justice Khanna, lauding his humility, clarity of thought, and balanced judgments.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also praised his judicial philosophy and efforts in maintaining the dignity of court proceedings.

Brief But Respected Tenure

Justice Sanjiv Khanna was sworn in as CJI on May 3, 2024, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Though his term lasted just a few weeks, he presided over key constitutional benches and upheld the principles of judicial restraint, fairness, and accountability.

His tenure may have been short, but it was marked by his consistent emphasis on civil liberties, judicial ethics, and due process of law.

(Inputs By Sambhav Sharma)