Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Bench and the Bar as essential to the strength of the judiciary. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony held by the All India Senior Advocates Association at the Constitution Club of India on January 31, 2026, he reaffirmed the Supreme Court’s commitment to ensuring justice that is accessible, affordable, and delivered expeditiously while maintaining the highest standards in judicial appointments.
The ceremony honoured newly elevated Supreme Court judges Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Arun Palli, and Justice V Mohana. Recently retired Supreme Court judge Justice Pankaj Mithal was also felicitated. Justice Surya Kant explained that Supreme Court appointments are carried out after a comprehensive process by the Collegium, which assesses judicial merit, integrity, experience, and other relevant factors. The Collegium also ensures the Court reflects the nation’s diversity by considering representation from various High Courts and regions. He noted: “every judge elevated to the Supreme Court undergoes a thorough process of evaluation before selection” and expressed confidence that the newly appointed judges would make significant contributions to the institution. He praised the Supreme Court Bar as one of the country’s finest legal fraternities and stressed that constructive engagement between judges and advocates is crucial to strengthening the justice delivery system.
Justice Surya Kant reiterated the judiciary’s dedication to litigants, stating that the Supreme Court will continue striving to provide justice free of unnecessary delay. Senior Advocate Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala, Secretary General of the All India Senior Advocates Association and former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, welcomed the dignitaries. He described the Chief Justice’s rise from the district judiciary at Hisar to the highest judicial office as an inspiring journey characterised by merit, discipline, and perseverance. He added that the Chief Justice’s approachable nature and encouragement of young advocates have strengthened relations between the Bench and the Bar. Aggarwala noted that the event marked two important occasions: expressing gratitude to Justices JK Maheshwari and Pankaj Mithal for their distinguished service and celebrating the elevation of five new Supreme Court judges. He stated the retiring judges left a rich judicial legacy marked by constitutional values, independence of thought, and fairness. Regarding the new judges, he said their appointments acknowledged their integrity, legal acumen, and contributions to justice, expressing confidence in their wisdom, courage, and compassion in discharging their responsibilities. He also commended the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Vikram Nath, JK Maheshwari, BV Nagarathna, and MM Sundresh, noting that its recommendations reflect merit, integrity, and judicial excellence, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the judiciary. Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson, President of the Association, called for institutional reforms including raising the retirement age of High Court judges from 62 to 65 years and Supreme Court judges from 65 to 70 years. He also advocated increasing the sanctioned strength of judges in the apex court to improve the efficiency of justice delivery. Wilson further urged the Supreme Court to consider institutional safeguards against misconduct in courtrooms, underscoring the collective responsibility to preserve the dignity and sanctity of the judiciary. Justice Pankaj Mithal observed that the Bench and the Bar share a common constitutional responsibility while performing different roles. He acknowledged the transformative role of technology in courts but emphasised that values such as integrity, fairness, and judicial wisdom remain irreplaceable. He encouraged young lawyers to pursue their careers through hard work, patience, and professional ethics. Justice Sheel Nagu thanked members of the Bar for their continued support, appealing to advocates nationwide to guide and assist the judiciary in its mission to deliver justice.
Justice Shree Chandrashekhar reflected on his journey from the Bar to the Bench, stating that the Supreme Court Bar played a defining role in shaping his career. He emphasised the necessity of judges and lawyers working together to ensure litigants receive justice with dignity. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva described his elevation as a “homecoming” after serving outside Delhi, thanking the Chief Justice of India and the Bar for their trust and support. Justice Arun Palli expressed that being honoured by the legal fraternity which shaped his professional life was deeply humbling. He paid tribute to Justice Pankaj Mithal, stating his judicial legacy would continue to inspire future generations of judges and lawyers. Justice V Mohana recounted her journey from district courts to the Supreme Court, crediting encouragement from the Bar and confidence from the Chief Justice and Collegium for her elevation. She expressed gratitude to the legal fraternity for its unwavering support throughout her career.
“I would like to say that we all have a duty to uphold the dignity and image of all constitutional institutions. We all have a duty to protect them and ensure their prestige is maintained ” – CJI Justice Surya Kant
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