BR Gavai, Chief Justice of India.
UU Lalit, Sanjiv Khanna and I have Tried to Change the Perception that Supreme Court is not just CJI’s Court: CJI BR Gavi: Nagpur, India – June 30, 2025 – Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, speaking at a felicitation event organized by the High Court Bar Association of Nagpur, his home bar, on June 28, addressed a prevalent perception that the Supreme Court operates primarily as the “CJI’s court.” He affirmed that concerted efforts have been made by himself and his predecessors, Justices U.U. Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna, to foster a culture of inclusive and collective decision-making within the apex judicial body.
“There is a growing belief that Supreme Court is a CJ’s court and not a court of all judges. But I must say that Justices U.U. Lalit, Sanjiv Khanna, and I have attempted to dispel that notion,” CJI Gavai stated. He highlighted the proactive approach taken by his predecessors and himself, noting, “Immediately after Justice Lalit took over as CJI, he had full court meeting on the very next day. I also held a full court meeting immediately on the next day of assuming the office. We took all the decisions by taking into consideration views of everyone.” This emphasis on collegiality seeks to reinforce the Supreme Court’s identity as a collective institution rather than one driven by a singular authority.
CJI Gavai also delved into the nuanced boundaries of judicial intervention, a topic that frequently sparks public debate. “I always felt the judicial activism was necessary because whenever the executive or the legislature failed, the judiciary had to step in so as to act as custodian of the rights of the citizens,” he opined. However, he quickly tempered this view with a cautionary note: “But I always also feel that all the three wings should work within the spheres allotted to them. And though judicial activism is here to stay, it should never turn into judicial adventurism or judicial terrorism. I still believe in the same principle.” This statement underscores a balanced philosophy, advocating for judicial assertiveness when necessary, yet stressing the importance of respecting institutional boundaries.
Reflecting on his journey in the legal profession, CJI Gavai offered personal insights into his early life and career path. He shared, “I followed my father’s decision to become a lawyer. It’s my mother’s hard work. Though we had a humble background… It’s this value of inclusiveness that has shaped my future life.”
He also recounted a significant achievement during his tenure on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) bench, highlighting his role in improving the safety of the Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway. “I was happy to see to it that the Nagpur Jabalpur Highway, which was languishing for years together and had witnessed more than 100 deaths due to the accidents was completed,” he stated. He particularly emphasized the integration of sustainable development principles in the project: “We for the first adopted the model of sustainable development and while ensuring that the highway is constructed also ensured that the ecology and interest of the wildlife is maintained by providing for long subways so that the animals travelling from one part of the jungle to another part of the jungle find that they are travelling in the same jungle.”
Among the decisions he cherishes most as CJI, Justice Gavai cited the ruling on judicial pensions, where he applied the principle of “one rank, one pension.” He expressed dismay at the plight of some retired judges, stating, “Some of the judges were living in penury. I was aghast when I came to know that a retired judge of some High Court was getting a pension of ₹7k to 8k.”
Regarding judicial appointments, CJI Gavai affirmed the Collegium’s commitment to transparency. “I think we are following transparency. We try to maintain seniority and merit in the matters of selection and Justice Chandurkar is a living example of that,” he said, referencing Justice Atul S Chandurkar, who was present at the event.
The felicitation ceremony was a gathering of legal luminaries, including former Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit, sitting Supreme Court Justices Dipankar Datta, Prasanna B. Varale, and Atul S. Chandurkar. Also in attendance were Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, Bombay High Court Justices Anil S. Kilor and Nitin W. Sambre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and Maharashtra Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf, signifying the importance of the occasion and the respect commanded by CJI Gavai.
