CJI Surya Kant 'Once a judge always a judge'

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised the continued importance of retired judges in strengthening the judiciary, likening them to Rajasthan’s traditional “bawris” (stepwells) that serve as vital reservoirs during times of drought.

Addressing a one-day seminar titled ‘The Bench Beyond Retirement’ in Jaipur, the CJI said former judges act as a dependable resource during institutional stress, much like stepwells that sustain communities in arid



regions.

Drawing from his roots in Churu, he noted how people rely on bawris, where rainwater accumulates over time and is used during droughts.

“Our former judges are like those bawris,” the CJI said, noting that their wisdom and experience are often sought in courts, Lok Adalats, mediation, and arbitration during crisis.

“A judge never truly retires. Once a judge, always a judge,” he remarked, underscoring that their experience cannot be replicated through committees or training programmes.