Two judges are up on stage. One of them is retiring as Chief Justice of India. The other will step in his shoes. A picture of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud hugging his successor Justice Sanjiv Khanna thrilled the photographers and those around them. Years later, the hug will be an exercise in nostalgia.

Chief Justice Chandrachud, who overturned two verdicts by his father and former Chief Justice YV Chandrachud while he helmed the top post, will demit office on November 10. Justice Khanna will take charge on Monday, November 11.

“He has made my task easy and tough. Easy because of the revolutions ushered in and tough because I cannot walk up to him. He will be sorely missed,” said Chief Justice-designate Khanna, who will have a tenure of a little over six months and would demit office on May 13, 2025.

Justice Khanna did not mention to forget the “youthful looks” of the outgoing Chief Justice.

“His youthfulness is not known here only but also abroad. In Australia, there were so many who came to me and asked what his age was,” said Justice Khanna, who is the nephew of former Supreme Court judge HR Khanna.

In November 2022, Chief Justice Chandrachud claimed that he is an “imposter” in the “youthful looks” department.  

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, on his last working day as 50th head of the Indian judiciary on Friday, said there was no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need and people he never knew or met.

“I won’t be able to deliver justice from tomorrow, but I am content,” he said.

Lawyers and members of the bar gathered to honour the outgoing Chief Justice, describing him as “a rock star” of the judiciary.

New Delhi:

Lawyers must learn to pay proper salaries and emoluments to the youngsters who enter their chambers to learn, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has said In an interview with the All India Radio, D Y Chandrachud said the legal profession is a difficult one where the foundation laid in the initial years keeps the young lawyers in good stead throughout their careers.

“There are always ups and downs in a profession. Initially, the amount you make at the end of your first month in the legal profession may not be very high,” the CJI said.

So it is important to encourage the first timers to hang in, put in the hard work, and be sincere in what they do, D Y Chandrachud said.

“Equally, our structures must change as well. For instance, lawyers must learn how to pay proper wages, salaries and emoluments to the young lawyers who enter their chambers,” he said.

“Youngsters come to their chambers to learn. They also have a great deal to share, so it is a two-way process of absorption and sharing and mentorship which we have to provide to the younger lawyers,” the CJI added.

D Y Chandrachud also recalled his days as a presenter in the All India Radio during his college days in Delhi.

The CJI said his mother, a classical musician, often took him to the AIR studios in Mumbai when he was in third or fourth standard. Later, after moving to Delhi in 1975, he auditioned for Akashvani and began hosting programmes in Hindi and English.

He also recalled how he grew up listening to AIR bulletins in Hindi, English and Sanskrit with his parents, getting enchanted by the iconic voices of Devki Nandan Pandey, Pamela Singh and Lotika Ratnam.

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