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Synopsis

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud recently remarked that 'there are some astrological elements in the outcome of some cases' while addressing judges of the Bombay High Court at a felicitation event hosted by the Bombay Bar Association (BBA).

Speaking at the felicitation event, the CJI reflected on his early years as an advocate, and said, "I appeared before Justice Motai and Justice Jhunjhunwala in a case involving a sugar dispute of a sugar factory, we had argued that matter repeatedly and then on a day just before Diwali must be 1995 or 1996, he called us to the chamber, the court was dead against me and he said to me would you like to take your chance before another bench"

CJI Chandrachud highlighted that in the next term, he succeeded before a different bench, adding, "There may be some astrological element in the outcome of cases."

As the CJI decided not to speak from a prepared text, he said, "I was wondering how I could sum 40 years of my judicial career, the best moments of which have been spent in this Court".

He added that the event was a very different day for me as it was a moment of Thanksgiving, a moment of reflection, but also a moment of remembrance. "Thanksgiving because I owe everything to this Institution. Reflection on what the journey has been and remembrance for those who have come here in that great tradition of the bar in the bench and in whose path we have tried to follow suit...", 

Last week, CJI also had made a heartfelt revelation about his experience resolving the Ayodhya dispute, sharing that he prayed to God for a solution during the challenging case. 

CJI Chandrachud recalled the difficulties in finding a solution, saying, "Very often we have cases (to adjudicate) but we don’t arrive at a solution. Something similar happened during the Ayodhya (Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute) which was in front of me for three months. I sat before the deity and told him he needs to find a solution".

The Supreme Court's verdict allowed the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site and allotted five acres of land for the construction of a new mosque. This decision brought closure to a century-old dispute.