Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Saturday expressed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution of India during his short-tenure as the country's senior-most judge..Justice Gavai was speaking at the felicitation ceremony organized by the Bar Council of India (BCI) in his honour. He recently took oath as the 52nd CJI of India.“The only thing I can say is that whatever short period that I have, I will do my best to stand by my oath to uphold the rule of law, to uphold the Constitution of India, and make an attempt to reach the commonest mind of this country, the vast majority of its citizens, so that the vision and promise of the Constitution—social and economic equality along with political equality—is brought into reality,” he said..Justice Gavai added that whenever a conflict arises between fundamental rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, the Kesavananda Bharati judgment serves as the guiding light."Wherever the conflict came between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, Kesavananda Bharati guided us. It was the Kesavananda Bharati case which resolved the conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, which said Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy together and together are the soul of the Constitution of India," he noted..Justice Gavai expressed a deep sense of belonging and gratitude as he addressed the audience, comprising lawyers from across the country. “For me it is a family function, from 16th March 1985 till 14th Nov 2023 I was your member and after 24th of Nov 2025 [retirement date] I would be your member, therefore I consider this occasion as a celebration members of my own. I am really humbled by love and affection shown by all of you,” he said.Justice Gavai also described the event as a reflection of India’s unity in diversity. “Today’s function is a true function of diversity in India which we always believe. Our Constitution has been so drafted so as to suit the various in our country: we have geographical diversities, we have regional diversities, we have people from different religions, different castes, we have diversity in economic status of people.".Reflecting on his journey spanning over 40 years in the legal profession, Justice Gavai said his first choice was to be an architect. However, he said his path shifted to law largely due to the influence of his father, a man inspired by Dr. BR Ambedkar and the social revolution he championed. "My fathers life was inspired by Dr Ambedkar. Therefore, from my childhood Dr Ambedkar and constitution are embedded (in me)," he said.Justice Gavai also revealed that his father aspired to become a lawyer but imprisonment during his youth prevented him from completing his LLB. Consequently, he wished for one of his sons to carry forward his unfinished dream.“I being the elder, I had to honor his desire. Therefore, I chose law,” he said..CJI-designate BR Gavai reveals his priorities over the next 6 months [Read interview].Recalling his days as a lawyer, Justice Gavai spoke candidly about the dilemma he faced when offered the post of Government Pleader."I was somewhat unsure whether I should accept the office of Government Pleader or not, because it amounted to huge financial sacrifices. Justice [Sharad] Bobde and I were sitting at the same table; he is just like an elder brother to me. I have never hidden the desire to become a High Court Judge. I always wanted to be a judge, and he said, if you come from the normal channel, you may require some more time to reach the bench, but if you become a Government Pleader, you will get an accelerated route—and that proved to be true. Within six months, I was offered judgeship," he recounted..Justice Gavai also reflected on his experience working with senior judges of the Supreme Court. He said when a High Court judge is elevated to Supreme Court, he has to learn a lot of new things. He spoke about his time working with Justice Rohinton Nariman, noting that he shared bench with him close to a year. During this time, Justice Gavai said faced the challenge of learning new areas of law, including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which was unfamiliar for him as High Court Judge.“But sitting with Justice Nariman, he encouraged me to write judgments on IBC,” he said..Justice Gavai emphasized on the importance of increasing diversity in judicial appointments, urging High Courts to recommend more candidates from women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. He said that he has advised many Chief Justices that if their High Courts lack suitable woman candidates, they should consider the talented pool of women advocates practicing in the Supreme Court. .Justice Gavai also admitted that he is averse to giving interviews to media as he does not want to make promises he cannot keep. On a lighter note, he remarked that journalists have criticized other judges for failing to fulfill the promises made during interviews.
