CJI Gavai bids farewell as 'student of justice' with full satisfaction
CJI Gavai bids farewell as 'student of justice' with full satisfaction
On his final day, the retiring CJI reflects on four decades of service, praising equality, landmark rulings, and the fight for fair SC/ST sub-classification in reservations.
On his last working day, the Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai spoke of leaving the institution with a full sense of satisfaction and as a student of justice after four decades in law and the bench. He recalled a journey from a modest background in Amravati to the apex court, emphasizing that his life and career were shaped by the Constitution and his parents' values, including his practice of Buddhism and his belief in all religions. He asserted that he is very satisfied with a journey that began forty years ago and highlighted the importance of constitutional ideals such as equality, liberty, and fraternity.
In a landmark moment of reflection, he touched on the controversial verdict regarding the creamy layer and reservations, noting that the judiciary must be fearless in defending its independence as a basic structure of the Constitution. He also defended the independence of tribunals from political influence, underscoring his belief that the freedom of tribunals cannot be compromised. He pointed to the judiciary as a guardian of equal treatment, including cases where caste-based advantages are scrutinized in admissions and jobs, and he underscored the need to address genuine inequality while upholding the rule of law.
Gavai highlighted his most consequential decisions, including his stance against what he termed as “bulldozer justice,” and cited the ruling allowing sub-classification of SCs and STs for reservations as crucial for addressing real disparities. He described himself as an ardent student of the Constitution and reiterated that the virtues of equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity were always at the heart of his work. He noted that his law clerk—whose father is a senior IAS officer—reminded him of the value of merit over privilege as a guiding principle for the next generation.
As the tenure nears its end, the focus shifts to the transition: Justice Surya Kant will succeed him as the next Chief Justice, continuing a legacy of commitment to judicial independence and constitutional interpretation. Gavai’s farewell reflects both pride in a long era of service and a call to uphold the standards of justice and equality in the years ahead.
Cover image source: CJI Gavai bids adieu, says he is leaving Supreme Court as ‘student of justice’ with full sense of satisfaction 🔗
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