CJI BR Gavai, at a Bombay High Court event, urged judges to be Courteous and mindful in court. He said judgeship isn’t a 10-to-5 job but a noble chance to serve society and the nation.
Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, addressed concerns regarding the rude behavior of judges during a felicitation event at the Bombay High Court.
CJI Gavai stated that the “interpretation of law and the Constitution should be pragmatic and tailored to meet societal needs.”
Referring to a previous Supreme Court ruling, Gavai emphasized that any law or constitutional provision must be understood in light of the “problems faced by the present generation.”
He remarked,
“The interpretation has to be pragmatic. It has to be one that suits the needs of society.”
He acknowledged an increase in complaints about such conduct among his colleagues, stating,
“Lately, I have received a lot of complaints with regard to the rude behaviour from some of the colleagues.”
CJI Gavai emphasized that being a judge is a important responsibility rather than a mere job, noting,
“I always believed that an opportunity to serve as a judge is not a ten-to-five job. It’s an opportunity to serve the society. It is an opportunity to serve the nation.”
He referenced former CJI and Bombay High Court judge RM Lodha, who remarked,
“Whether to believe in God or not is one’s personal choice. He said that if God has chosen very few of you to serve the society, to serve the nation (as a judge); then what is required is a commitment, what is required is a dedication to the cause of justice.”
Highlighting the importance of maintaining a respectful atmosphere in court, CJI Gavai said,
“By rudely behaving with the lawyers or calling the officers of the court now and then, does it serve any purpose? And I think all of my 13 colleagues (judges who Justice Gavai has sat with in the past while serving as a Bombay High Court judge) who have shared Bench with me will agree that if you give the atmosphere in the court (a) pleasant (tone), it also helps you in maintaining your blood pressure and also diabetes, apart from not giving hypertension to the lawyers.”
He also expressed concern about reports indicating that some judges were not dedicating enough time to their court sessions, mentioning,
“Another disturbing news that I have been receiving about a Bench I won’t name the Bench again because I don’t want to be specific is with regard to some of the judges sitting in court as part-time judges. If you have taken a call to answer to serve the office, then sitting for one hour in the first half and sitting for one hour in the second half belittles your oath. You are not being true to your oath. Therefore, I call upon each of you to be true to your oath. Do not do anything that will bring disrepute to this august institution.”
CJI Gavai stated that he has chosen to refrain from public commentary and promises, focusing instead on fulfilling his responsibilities to the best of his abilities.
He remarked,
“I won’t give any interviews or any promises. I have seen many instances of giving long interviews (at) the beginning of the career and making quick promises at the end of the tenure… I can only say that I will stick to the oath and discharge my responsibilities to the best of my abilities.”
He urged the judges of the Bombay High Court to remain vigilant and avoid controversies similar to those witnessed in other courts, advising,
“Ensure that some of the incidents that have happened in the neighboring High Court don’t happen.”
He concluded by expressing gratitude to his fellow judges and reaffirming his commitment to the legacy of the Bombay High Court.
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