New Delhi:
Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna bid farewell to his colleagues in the Supreme Court this morning as he passed by Justice Bra Gawai on baton. Addressing a formal bench on the day of his retirement, the Chief Justice struggled to find words to express himself, but sent a clear message praising his successor.
CJI Khanna said that the public trust cannot be commanded; It has to be earned, and that the Supreme Court has done.
“I am speechless. I take a lot of memories. Once you are a lawyer, you remain a lawyer. Public belief that the judiciary cannot be ordered and not to be acquired. The judiciary is a common word that represents the bench and bar.
The Chief Justice said that judges come to the Supreme Court from different backgrounds, and this diversity helps in judicial decisions.
Talking about his successor, he said that Justice Bran Gawai has been his “biggest support”. “In that, you will have a great CJI. He will maintain fundamental rights and freedom,” CG Khanna said.
It marks the end of the 20 -year Judship for Justice Khanna, which was first made additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005. A year later, he became a permanent judge. He was elevated in the Supreme Court in 2019 and became the Chief Justice last November.
In the last six years in the apex court, Justice Khanna was part of several historical decisions, including Article 370, Decision of Adultery, Election Bond Scheme and EVM-VVPAT Tally case.
Justice Bra Gavai will take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India tomorrow.
