Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stepped in over reports that former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel and his family received death threats linked to a widely publicised judicial ruling. The CJI met the Indian High Commissioner in the UK and sought security cover for the retired judge and his family.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the rising significance of mediation in commercial dispute resolution, noting that international arbitration increasingly faces delays and procedural complexities. He stressed that mediation should be regarded not merely as an alternative mechanism but as an essential pillar of modern justice systems.
The Bombay Bar Association condemned alleged threats, intimidation, and attacks targeting retired Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel and his family over the Dawoodi Bohra succession judgment. Calling it a direct assault on judicial independence and the rule of law, the Association demanded accountability and protection.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant revealed that a robust mechanism is being developed to increase women’s representation in the legal profession. Emphasising his commitment, he said, “I am not a person who only make statements,” while highlighting steps including 30% reservation for women in Bar bodies.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant praised young lawyers, judicial officers, and legal professionals for driving the judiciary’s technological transformation. Speaking at the Oxford Union, he said their adaptability and willingness to embrace innovation have been instrumental in advancing digital reforms across India’s justice delivery system.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the judiciary is adopting technology and artificial intelligence as tools to support, not replace, judicial reasoning. He highlighted the Supreme Court’s focus on developing “Swadeshi Jurisprudence,” an indigenous legal-technology framework rooted in India’s constitutional values, diversity, and social realities.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that international arbitration is increasingly mirroring the delays, costs, and procedural complexities of traditional litigation. Speaking in London, he cautioned that arbitration faces growing challenges relating to efficiency, accessibility, affordability, and effective dispute resolution.
A lecture by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant at the University of London’s Birkbeck campus drew controversy after a tense exchange during the question-and-answer session. Attendees raised concerns regarding freedom of dissent in India and remarks linked to the term “cockroach” during discussions on artificial intelligence and international law.