In a heartfelt and candid farewell, Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday retired as the 51st Chief Justice of India, ending his tenure with a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude. Marking his final day in office, the outgoing CJI sat on the bench one last time, surrounded by warm tributes from fellow judges and senior lawyers at a ceremony organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Reflecting on his judicial journey, Justice Khanna said, “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. I can say this much—I am equally eager to get rid of the judge in me.”
Departing from the often bittersweet tone that marks judicial farewells, Justice Khanna made it clear he felt only joy. “This morning, as the robe was hung for the final time, the weight of responsibility lifted from my shoulder, and quite honestly, I felt a sense of bliss,” he said. “Let me confess—I have no mixed feelings. I am simply happy.”
Known for his composed demeanor and commitment to judicial ethics, Justice Khanna addressed the perception of him as a “conservative” or “by the book” judge. In response, he cited data from his tenure at the Delhi High Court, noting he had overturned convictions in nearly 33–35% of criminal appeals—a rate comparable to his peers. He also observed that acquittals were notably higher in cases handled by court-appointed lawyers (amicus curiae) than those argued by senior advocates.
Justice Khanna used his final address to shine a spotlight on a concern close to his heart: a growing “truth deficit” in the legal profession. Emphasizing the role of truth in justice, he said, “As I step down from the Bench, I would like to speak about something that bothers me—truth deficit in our profession.”
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s belief that “truth is God,” Justice Khanna stressed that truth must be more than a spiritual ideal—it should guide the legal system. “Behind every falsehood, we are forced to dig deeper and longer to uncover the truth,” he noted, lamenting the increasing tendency to distort facts in courtrooms, which he said hampers justice and burdens the courts.
Justice Khanna’s distinguished career spans decades, beginning as a lawyer in Delhi before his elevation to the Delhi High Court at the age of 45. He joined the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019, and became the CJI on November 11, 2024. Looking back, 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 by the people of this country.”
He concluded his speech by expressing heartfelt gratitude to his colleagues, mentors, and fellow judges, and offered his best wishes to Justice B.R. Gavai, who will take over as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on Wednesday.