My shoulders broad enough to accept criticism, says CJI Chandrachud at his farewell

New Delhi: Outgoing Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Friday said his shoulders are broad enough to accept all criticism as he believed in transparency in public life and the dogma that "sunlight is the best disinfectant".

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

Heading a four-judge ceremonial bench, also comprising CJI-designate Sanjiv Khanna, Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, which assembled to bid him farewell, the CJI expressed a deep sense of fulfilment, not only for the work accomplished but for the opportunity to serve the country.


Justice Chandrachud stepped into the shoes of his illustrious father YV Chandrachud, who served as the longest CJI between 1978 and 1985, on November 9, 2022 and will be demitting office on November 10, a Sunday.

Rich tributes were paid to him by CJI-designate Sanjiv Khanna and bar leaders, including the attorney general, the solicitor general, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal and others to mark the pivotal moment in India's judicial history.

"You asked me what keeps me going. It is this court which has kept me going, because there is not a single day when you feel that you have not learned something, that you have not had an opportunity to serve the society,"the outgoing CJI added. .