Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, who retired today, delivered a poignant farewell address emphasizing the importance of earning public trust in the judiciary. He stated, “The public trust which the judiciary has, it cannot be commanded. It has to be earned. And we earn it through the members of the bar and the bench. Judiciary is a common term which refers to both the judges and the bar. You (bar) are a built-in check apart from the other checks on the system. You (bar) are the conscience-keeper.”

During the ceremonial bench proceedings held in his honor, members of the Supreme Court Bar expressed their admiration for CJI Khanna. Attorney General R. Venkataramani praised the clarity and simplicity of his decisions, highlighting his efforts to uphold liberties and institutional integrity. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta commended CJI Khanna’s crisp judgments and patient hearings, noting that he would make his uncle, Justice HR Khanna, proud. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal acknowledged that CJI Khanna carried forward the legacy of Justice HR Khanna, emphasizing his encouragement of young advocates and his embodiment of the best qualities of a judge.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju referred to an article praising CJI Khanna for quietly defending the Constitution through trials by fire, taking firm decisions that protected liberty, and preserving public trust in the judiciary without seeking legacy or limelight. He also testified to CJI Khanna’s simplicity, recalling seeing him having a morning walk alone without any security in the Lodhi Gardens.

Senior Advocates Raju Ramachandran, Sanjay Hegde, Vibha Datta Makhija, Shadan Farasat, P.C. Sen, Menaka Guruswamy, Dushyant Dave, Adhish Agarwala, A.M. Singhvi, and Additional Solicitors General Aishwarya Bhati and N. Venkataraman, along with SCAORA President Vipin Nair, also heaped praises on the outgoing CJI. They hailed him for his “spine of steel” and the graceful manner in which he held the Court.

Dushyant Dave, using a cricket analogy, said that CJI Khanna led the institution like a perfect all-rounder, “batting with the Constitution in your hand, fielding with the fundamental rights in your hand and bowling with justice in mind.” He noted that CJI Khanna has strengthened the institution on both the administrative and judicial sides.

Justice Khanna’s tenure was marked by a commitment to transparency, integrity, and the protection of constitutional values, earning him widespread respect within the legal community.

Sources