In his farewell speech, outgoing Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna expressed deep concern over a "truth deficit" in the legal profession, emphasizing the fundamental role of truth in justice.
Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, during his farewell address organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, voiced concerns about a "truth deficit" in the legal profession. He stressed that the primary responsibility of a judge is to seek truth, rather than dominate the courtroom.
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"As I step down from the bench, I would like to speak of something that bothers me—the truth deficit in our profession," CJI Khanna stated.
CJI Khanna explained that the issue often arises from a misguided belief that cases cannot succeed without "padding" or exaggerating evidence. According to him, this approach complicates the judicial process and forces courts to spend more time uncovering the truth hidden beneath falsehoods.
Reflecting on his role, CJI Khanna emphasized that a judge should neither dominate the courtroom nor surrender. He described his 42-year career as a journey of balancing authority with humility. He expressed his excitement about stepping away from his judicial role, calling it the "beginning of a new life."
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CJI Khanna paid tribute to his parents, highlighting his mother’s strong influence. She, a Hindi literature professor at Lady Shri Ram College, believed his straightforward nature would prevent him from succeeding as a lawyer. However, he saw this simplicity as a strength in his legal career.
During his tenure, the Supreme Court achieved a remarkable milestone, reaching a case clearance ratio of 106%. This means that the Court resolved more cases than it received, significantly reducing the backlog.
"For the first time in several years, the Supreme Court achieved a case clearance ratio of over 100%, reaching 106%," CJI Khanna noted.
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In a personal reflection, CJI Khanna shared three memorable experiences:
- Human Dignity in Habeas Corpus Cases: He recounted his efforts to ensure a compassionate approach in cases involving young individuals challenging societal norms.
- Legal Aid for the Marginalized: He highlighted the importance of legal aid as a fundamental right, not just a privilege, and urged more lawyers to engage in pro bono work.
- Diversity of Thought at the Supreme Court: He appreciated the multi-voiced nature of the Supreme Court, which ensures diverse perspectives in judicial decisions.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna concluded his judicial journey as the 51st Chief Justice of India, with Justice B.R. Gavai set to succeed him.
