CJI B.R. Gavai expressed strong displeasure over a protocol lapse during his first visit to Maharashtra after taking charge, stating, “If it were someone else, Article 142 would have been invoked immediately.”
Mumbai: Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai expressed his dissatisfaction on Sunday regarding the absence of Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and the city police commissioner during his inaugural visit to the state since assuming his position.
Gavai, who took his oath as CJI on May 14, was in Mumbai for a felicitation event organized by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
Following his remarks, all three officials were present when Gavai visited Chaityabhoomi in Dadar to pay his respects to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the renowned social reformer and chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
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At the Bar Council event, Gavai indicated that while he did not wish to focus on minor protocol issues, he emphasized the importance of mutual respect among the three branches of democracy.
He stated,
“If the Chief Secretary of the state, DGP or Mumbai police commissioner does not want to come there, when the CJI, who is from Maharashtra, has arrived for the first time, it’s up to them to think about whether it is right or not.”
He highlighted that respect from other branches of government towards the judiciary is crucial and clarified that he was not demanding strict adherence to protocol.
Gavai noted,
“When a chief of an organ or institution is coming for the first time to the state, especially when he too belongs to the said state, whether the treatment they gave was right or not, they themselves should think.”
While he described the matter as minor, Gavai felt it necessary to bring it to light so that the public is aware.
He humorously added,
“If it were someone else in my place, then the provisions of Article 142 would be considered.”
Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue orders deemed essential for delivering complete justice in any case before it, including securing the attendance of individuals.
Later, CJI Gavai paid tribute to Dr. Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, where Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, DGP Rashmi Shukla, and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti were all in attendance. Gavai, a native of Maharashtra, is the second Dalit to lead the Indian judiciary, following K.G. Balakrishnan.
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