Journey more important than reaching CJI milestone, says Justice Nagarathna
Hindustan TimesIt is not the milestone but the journey to it that matters most, justice BV Nagarathna, set to make history as the first woman Chief Justice of India in 2027, underlined on Sunday as she highlighted the importance of how she is perceived as a judge and the work she undertakes in the years leading up to the position. Justice BV Nagarathna Speaking to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru, justice Nagarathna highlighted her commitment to the role and the profound influence of her father, justice Venkataramiah — the 19th CJI, on her judicial philosophy. Justice Nagarathna’s upcoming tenure will also place her in the unique position of being part of only the second father-child duo to serve as CJIs, after justices YV Chandrachud and his son Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud. It’s all positive — nothing negative about it.” Elevated to the Supreme Court in 2021, justice Nagarathna, the eighth most senior judge in the Supreme Court, would be the CJI for a little over a month in 2027. Justice Nagarathna also acknowledged the evolving challenges of the judiciary, noting that while the nature of litigation has changed over the decades, the essence of judicial service remains rooted in upholding constitutional values.