Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday sought forgiveness for those whom he may have unintentionally hurt on his last day as CJI. Addressing a room full of colleagues and members of the legal fraternity, CJI Chandrachud said, “Last night, when my judicial registrar asked me about the timing of the ceremony, I was told that it was 2 pm because we can wrap many items. I thought to myself, will there be anyone in this court on Friday at 2 pm or will I look at myself on the screen?

He recalled his early days as a lawyer when he learned valuable judicial techniques. “We are here as pilgrims to work, and the work we do can make or break cases. There have been great judges who have graced this court and passed this baton,” he said.

“There will be no difference when I leave this court because a stable person like Justice Khanna will take over and he is very dignified,” he added. “When you ask me what keeps you going, it’s this, what kept me going. It’s the journey of the judiciary. I appreciate each and every one of you, and you all taught me a lot about the law and life. I learned a lot about life today also in the 45 cases I treated,” he said.

“If I ever hurt any of you, I would like to apologize for anything I didn’t mean to do or hurt you,” he said.

Chief Justice Chandrachud’s tenure, which began on November 8, 2022, concluded on November 8, 2024. He has written more than 500 judgments, including judgments such as Ayodhya land dispute, abrogation of Article 370 and decriminalization of consensual gay sex.

Justice Chandrachud followed in the footsteps of his father YV Chandrachud, who served as the longest-serving CJI between 1978 and 1985.