On his final day in office, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna was given a warm and emotional farewell by colleagues on the Bench and members of the Bar, who praised his humility, clarity of thought, and unwavering commitment to constitutional values.
A ceremonial Bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and PV Sanjay Kumar assembled in Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court to honour Justice Khanna. In his farewell remarks, CJI Khanna made a significant announcement that reaffirmed his integrity and independence.
“I will not accept any post-retirement post… but perhaps will do something with law,” he said, drawing respectful applause from the courtroom.
A Legacy of Transparency and Simplicity
Justice BR Gavai, who will succeed Justice Khanna as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, led the tributes, lauding Justice Khanna for his dignified approach to both judicial and administrative matters.
“In both judicial pronouncements and administrative decisions he has left a legacy of his own. The decision of this court to upload assets and liabilities of the judges shows his penchant for transparency. He is a gentleman to the core. His humility and calm demeanour have always stood out,” said Justice Gavai.
Justice Gavai also recalled that CJI Khanna sat in the same courtroom once occupied by his uncle, the late Justice HR Khanna, whose historic dissent in the ADM Jabalpur case during the Emergency is remembered as a defining moment for civil liberties in India.
Admiration from the Bench and Bar
Justice PV Sanjay Kumar commended CJI Khanna’s extraordinary memory and patience with lawyers.
“He never made notes. Para numbers, pages—all came from memory. His sincerity and patience even with unprepared lawyers was unmatched,” Justice Kumar said. “With him, I learnt pragmatism.”
Attorney General R. Venkataramani praised Justice Khanna’s commitment to liberty and institutional integrity.
“You have underscored liberty on an everyday basis. You found that institutional integrity is paramount and your departure cannot be easily filled up,” he remarked.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta observed that Justice HR Khanna would have been proud of his nephew’s judicial journey.
“Your judgments—from High Court days to the Constitution Bench—have been crisp, focused, and deeply principled. Justice HR Khanna would have been very proud of you today.”
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal hailed CJI Khanna as a beacon for the judiciary:
“You are like that streak in the sky that comes rarely. You symbolise the best in a judge—courage, transparency, and intellectual clarity.”
Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave said CJI Khanna strengthened the Supreme Court not just judicially, but administratively as well. Menaka Guruswamy added:
“You wrote for secularism, for freedom of worship, and for the Constitution. You made it clear that integrity is the value that matters most.”
“We Lose Our Religion on the Bench”
Senior Advocate Balbir Singh recalled a powerful statement made by Justice Khanna:
“Your statement that when we sit on the Bench, we lose our religion, was hailed all across. It was a powerful reaffirmation of judicial impartiality.”
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju praised the CJI’s contributions to bail jurisprudence and described him as a judge “who judged quietly, and in trials by fire.” Senior Advocate Raju Ramachandran added, “You’ve shown the proof of the pudding is in the judging.”
A Judicial Legacy Anchored in Principle
Senior Advocate Vibha Datta Makhija thanked the CJI for leading with transparency, while AM Singhvi and Vipin Nair lauded his consistent interaction with the Bar and his courage reminiscent of Justice HR Khanna.
“It is a testament to the fact that DNA of courage can be passed down from one judicial generation to the next,” Nair said.
Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy added a lighter note by comparing CJI Khanna’s retirement with another national icon:
“This week, two great sons of India are retiring—Virat Kohli and Milord the Chief Justice.”
CJI Khanna also engaged with comments made about his judicial lineage, referencing his grandfather Sarb Dyal Khanna, whose dissent in a pre-independence municipal case was similarly significant.
“Public Trust Must Be Earned”
In his closing remarks, an emotional CJI Khanna reflected on the judiciary’s role in society.
“The public trust which the judiciary has cannot be commanded—it has to be earned. Judiciary is a common term which represents both the Bench and the Bar. The Bar is the conscience keeper,” he said.
He also extended his best wishes to his successor:
“Justice Gavai has been my biggest support. In him, you have a great Chief Justice who will uphold the fundamental rights and liberty.”
As he steps away from the Bench, CJI Khanna leaves behind a legacy defined by fairness, clarity, and a deep belief in the Constitution. Though he may not take up any formal post-retirement role, his commitment to the legal field remains undiminished.
“Once you are a lawyer, you remain a lawyer,” he remarked.
