CJI Bhushan Gavai advocates for decentralising the judiciary to make justice more accessible. He emphasised that taluka and district courts are key to reaching the common citizen.
Amravati: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai, while inaugurating a new court building in Daryapur, Amravati district of Maharashtra, emphasized the need to decentralise the Indian judiciary so that justice can be easily accessed by common people, especially at the local level.
Speaking at a public function, the CJI stated that his goal has always been to make the justice delivery system more accessible by bringing courts closer to the people, especially in talukas and districts.
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CJI Gavai mentioned that as the head of the Judicial Infrastructure Committee, he had worked on a model that proposed setting up new courts at taluka and district levels.
He said,
“It (work on his proposal) is happening, but red tapism in courts and government is same.”
This comment reflects his concern about the slow pace of administrative processes, which often delay the implementation of reforms in both the judicial and government systems.
He appreciated the support of various Maharashtra chief ministers in improving judicial infrastructure.
CJI Gavai pointed out that current Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as well as former chief ministers Eknath Shinde (June 2022–November 2024) and Uddhav Thackeray (November 2019–June 2022), have shown a positive attitude towards development of judicial infrastructure and have ensured sufficient budget allocation.
During his speech, the Chief Justice made it clear that his visit to Daryapur was personal and not official.
He said,
“I have come to Daryapur not as the Supreme Court chief justice, but as a resident of the district.”
The occasion was the 10th death anniversary of his father, R.S. Gavai, who had served as the Governor of Kerala and later Bihar. The event held emotional significance for CJI Gavai, as Daryapur is his hometown.
Expressing hope for the newly inaugurated court building, CJI Gavai remarked,
“I hope the Daryapur court will ensure justice reaches the last person in society.”
He reiterated his long-standing belief that decentralising the judiciary would bring the legal system closer to those in remote and rural areas.
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He added,
“I have always advocated decentralisation of the judiciary so that justice is delivered at the doorstep of litigants.”
CJI Gavai also took the opportunity to share advice with budding lawyers. He encouraged junior advocates to first gain practical experience through apprenticeships before starting independent practice.
Emphasising the value of learning and humility in the legal profession, he warned,
“If one wants to argue in courts without any experience and own a Mercedes or BMW in six months, then one needs to understand their motive.”
This was a reminder that the legal profession should not be seen merely as a path to quick wealth and status, but as a noble profession of public service.
He urged young lawyers to remain grounded and not let the prestige associated with the profession affect their behaviour. Sharing some real-life examples, he said,
“I have seen junior lawyers not offering seat to their seniors. Similarly, there was an instance where a junior lawyer fainted in court when he was fired by the judge.”
These remarks were a reminder of the values of respect, humility, and resilience that every legal professional should carry.
He concluded by highlighting the equal partnership between the Bench and the Bar in the justice delivery process. He reminded both lawyers and judges that their primary responsibility is to serve the public. He stated,
“Both judges and lawyers are equal partners. The chair (representing legal authority) is to serve people and power associated with it should not be allowed to go into their heads.”
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