My shoulders broad enough to accept criticism: CJI

At his farewell event, Justice Chandrachud says no greater feeling than serving the needy

- BHAVINI MISHRA & PTI

On his last working day as the 50th head of the Indian judiciary on Friday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud recounted his long journey—from sitting in the last row of the court as a young law student to his time on the revered corridors of the top court.

"You asked me what keeps me going," the CJI said at a farewell event. "It is this court which has kept me going...There is no greater feeling than being able to serve those in need and the people you would never meet...people whose lives you have the ability to affect without ever having seen them," he added.

He said his shoulders were broad enough to accept all criticism as he believed in transparency in public life and the dogma that "sunlight is the best disinfectant". He also said he was probably one of the most trolled individuals and judges across the system.

Quoting the Jain phrase 'Michhami Dukkadam', the outgoing CJI, whose father Y V Chandrachud had the longest tenure as CJI between 1978 and 1985, said, "If I have ever hurt anyone in the court, please forgive me for that."