New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjeev Khanna expressed his gratitude towards the Delhi High Court on Friday, saying, “Everything I have achieved owes to this institution.” CJI Khanna was speaking at an event organized by the Delhi High Court Bar Association, following his elevation to the highest judicial position in the country.
“My primary aim was to meet you and interact with you, to express my gratitude to my court, my home, for whatever I have achieved as a lawyer, and then as a judge, and as a human being. I owe everything to this institution. Thank you so much,” CJI Khanna said.
CJI Khanna also referred to remarks made by his colleague, Justice Suryakant, who had spoken earlier, saying, “Yes, Justice Suryakant rightly said it is always very nice to be back home. That is the place where the journey began. That place is very dear to us, and it is also very dear to me. It’s an institution called Daily High Point. It is a full circle.”
Reflecting his long association with the court, CJI Khanna recalled his days as both an advocate and as a judge at the Delhi High Court. “Not only did I stand before this court as an advocate for about 22 years, but I also had the honour of sitting as a judge here for 13 years,” he said.
CJI Khanna shared a personal anecdote from his early days in the profession — “In 1983, I joined the profession with a degree of law, typical experience of a young lawyer. I see a lot of youngsters over here. I was like you and in a lot of ways like you, because I had a mind, I had no briefs, no money. That’s how my practice began at that time, and I think it still continues.”
He fondly remembered his early experiences at Tis Hazari, including “sipping coffee, sitting with elders, visiting the Gol canteen.”
On a lighter note, he said, “It was coming to the high court that made me. The judges and lawyers here were a class apart. It gave me an opportunity, as I became a public prosecutor, then the standing counsel, and above all, I did a couple of matters with a friend of the court as Amicus Curae.”
CJI Khanna also expressed gratitude to the lawyers who supported him during his early career. “I have countless memories and invaluable lessons which I learned as for my life and as a lawyer over here and then as a judge,” he said.
He humorously recalled his use of a trolley to carry his files, “I used to be the first one to come to the court with my trolley, and I was perhaps the first one to start using trolleys. I’m told it’s fairly not common, but it helped me prepare for an hour for the matters in the morning and avoid the morning crowd.”
However, CJI Khanna shared a slight regret, saying, “I never visited the canteen very often. I perhaps visited more as a judge than as a lawyer. The other regret I’ll have is I’ll never go back as a lawyer. I’ll never become an advocate once I remit office.”
In his speech, CJI Khanna also highlighted the accomplishments of the Delhi High Court. “Delhi High Court has earned recognition internationally,” he noted, emphasizing its leadership in intellectual property rights is a preferred forum or the court for all citizens who want to invoke constitutional rights, commercial disputes, and arbitration.
“It’s also a front runner as far as technological advancements, including e-courts and e-filing,” he said.
He praised the court’s achievements in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (ADR) through initiatives like Samadhan, saying, “The lawyers have set up is perhaps the best in the country.”
“What makes us the best High Court? I think there are 3 facets to it — a stellar bar comprising subject matter experts across the field, a bench distinguished by competent judges, and an efficient case management system. Nowhere in the country we can have a case listed the very next day without making any effort,” CJI added.
He also lauded the High Court for its inclusivity, saying, “This court also has the highest number of women advocates, who got elevated as high court judges… It’s the most cosmopolitan court in the country where nobody is treated as an outsider. You come, you become a part and parcel of this court, and you’re loved. You get work from every and anybody.”
CJI Khanna concluded by mentioning the court’s unique identity-free practice, which contributes to a fair and impartial system, saying, “In the court also, we follow what is called, I feel, identity-free practice, where identities do not matter. That’s a very big plus point.”
Justice Suryakant, addressing the event, echoed CJI Khanna’s sentiments, saying, “Coming back home is always a nice feeling. It multiplies when home is not far away.”
Justice Manmohan, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, also spoke, praising CJI Khanna for his transparency and trustworthiness, qualities he displayed throughout his career as a lawyer and judge.
The event was attended by judges of the Delhi High Court, senior advocates, and bar office bearers. (With inputs from ANI)
