New Delhi [India]: Marking the end of an illustrious legal career, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna retired from office on Tuesday, receiving a warm farewell from senior advocates, fellow judges, and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). Known for his disciplined and meticulous approach to jurisprudence, Justice Khanna served as the 51st Chief Justice of India from November 11, 2024, to May 14, 2025.
In his farewell address, Justice Khanna struck a tone of humility, clarity, and candid reflection, expressing a sense of relief rather than nostalgia.
“Now, at 65, as I prepare to retire, I do so with gratitude, reflection, and yes, a sense of satisfaction. Age will see me off as a judge,” he said. “I am equally eager to get rid of the judge in me.”
“No Mixed Feelings” – A Rare Retirement Sentiment
Breaking from the often bittersweet tone of judicial farewells, the outgoing CJI declared that he felt only happiness and contentment.
“This morning, as the robe was hung for the final time, the weight of responsibility lifted from my shoulder. Quite honestly, I felt a sense of bliss,” Justice Khanna shared. “I’ve attended many farewells. A sentiment commonly expressed is that of mixed feelings. Let me confess—I have no mixed feelings. I am simply happy.”
Legacy of Balance: “By-the-Book” Yet Compassionate
Acknowledging perceptions of being a “conservative” or “by-the-book” judge, Justice Khanna responded by pointing to data. He noted that while serving on the Delhi High Court, he overturned convictions in approximately 33–35% of criminal appeals—comparable to other benches.
However, he highlighted a critical insight: acquittals were significantly higher in cases argued by amicus curiae (court-appointed lawyers) than those handled by senior counsel, suggesting a systemic disparity that merits attention.
Call to Uphold Truth in the Legal Profession
In a solemn moment, Justice Khanna voiced concern over what he described as a “truth deficit” in the legal profession.
“As I step down from the Bench, I would like to speak about something that bothers me—the truth deficit in our profession,” he said, emphasizing that truth is not merely a spiritual ideal but a cornerstone of justice.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi—“Truth is God”—the CJI lamented the tendency to distort facts or pad evidence, warning that this undermines both legal ethics and judicial efficiency.
“Behind every falsehood, we are forced to dig deeper and longer to uncover the truth. This mindset is not only ethically wrong—it makes the Court’s job significantly harder.”
A Distinguished Judicial Journey
Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, after beginning his judgeship in the Delhi High Court at the age of 45. Reflecting on his career, he said:
“It was only after donning the robes of a Judge that I truly understood the weight of the responsibility bestowed on us by the Constitution and the people of this country.”
Passing the Baton
Justice Khanna concluded his farewell by thanking his colleagues on the Bench, both past and present, and extended his best wishes to Justice B.R. Gavai, who will be sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on Wednesday.
Key Takeaways:
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna retired as the 51st Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025.
- He served in the Supreme Court since January 2019, after being appointed to the Delhi High Court at age 45.
- Described his retirement as a moment of “bliss” with no mixed feelings.
- Expressed concern about truthfulness in legal proceedings, calling for a cultural shift.
- Stressed the importance of truth as a guiding principle in law and life.
- Justice B.R. Gavai will assume office as the next CJI on May 15, 2025.