Public trust in judiciary needs to be earned: CJI

Public trust in the judiciary has to be earned and cannot be commanded, said outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna — who recently recommended removal of a high court judge over misconduct and published assets of Supreme Court judges for public scrutiny — as he demitted office on Tuesday.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

Hanging his judicial robe after nearly two-decade career on the bench, of which six years spent in the Supreme Court, including the last six months as CJI, justice Khanna spent an eventful last day in office. He shared a ceremonial bench with CJI-designate justice Bhushan R Gavai in the morning, held a brief interaction with reporters in the press lounge in the afternoon, and attended a farewell event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, where he touched upon his career as a lawyer and judge spanning 42 years.

Addressing lawyers who gathered to bid him farewell during the ceremonial bench sitting, CJI Khanna said he was "completely overwhelmed" by the good wishes. "I carry with me a lot of memories. And memories which are very nice, which will remain throughout. Once you are a lawyer, you remain a lawyer," he said.

Known for being forthright, the CJI voiced concern over "truth deficit" in the legal profession and emphasised the role of the bar and the bench in earning public trust.