Justice Chandrachud delivers final speech as CJI: 'If I ever hurt anyone ...'

CJI Chandrachud assumed office on November 9, 2022.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will demit office on Sunday, November 10. However, his last working day was November 8.

On his last working day, the SC bench headed by Chandrachud gave the verdict on whether the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) can be considered a minority institution under Article 30 of the Constitution.

"I won't be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I am content," he said.

Chief Justice Chandrachud, who assumed office on November 9, 2022, recalled a lighthearted moment with his registrar judicial the previous evening. "When my judicial registrar asked me what time the ceremonial should begin, I said 2 pm, thinking it would allow us to wrap up a lot of pending items. But I wondered to myself-will anyone actually be here at 2 pm on a Friday afternoon? Or will I just be left looking at myself on the screen?” said the CJI as quoted by NDTV.

According to NDTV, Chandrachud described the role of judges as akin to pilgrims. "The work we do can make or break cases," he said. He paid tribute to the "great judges who have adorned this court and passed on the baton”.  "If I have ever hurt anyone in the court, please forgive me for that," he said, quoting the Jain phrase "Michhami Dukkadam," which translates to "May all my misdeeds be forgiven."

Lawyers and members of the bar gathered to honour the outgoing Chief Justice. Law club member Nani Palkiwala said, “We wish you all the best to the term at the International Court of Justice now.” To which the CJI laughed and responded saying, “What !”.

His five key verdicts

Privacy as a Fundamental Right: In the landmark K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case, Justice Chandrachud argued that the Aadhaar programme was passed unconstitutionally. The bench ruled that “the right to privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 and as a part of the freedoms guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution”.
Sabarimala Temple Entry Case: Chandrachud was a key voice on the bench that ruled the exclusion of women aged 10-50 from Kerala’s Sabarimala Temple unconstitutional.

Bhima Koregaon Case: In the Romila Thapar v. Union of India case, which dealt with the arrest of activists accused of inciting violence, Chandrachud said that their arrests potentially violated their rights to free expression.

Ayodhya Title Dispute: Justice Chandrachud was also part of the bench on the historic Ayodhya land dispute case, which peacefully resolved one of India’s most contentious religious conflicts.

Electoral Bonds Case: In February 2024, a five-judge SC bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, unanimously ruled against the Centre’s electoral bond scheme for political funding.

Why can Chandrachud not practice law in courts again?

The ban on post-retirement practice is aimed at preserving public confidence in the judiciary's independence. Allowing the CJI to practice could raise suspicions about career-driven rulings during their tenure.

What next for Chandrachud?

Retired justices often become arbitrators or mediators for complex legal matters. They frequently head or join commissions such as the National Human Rights Commission or the National Green Tribunal. Retired judges may be appointed to constitutional roles, such as governors or members of governmental committees.