Former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai said there is nothing wrong if a retired CJI associates with political parties, as judges also carry lifelong values and ideologies. He clarified that his own judicial decisions were rooted only in constitutional principles, not in expectations of post-retirement benefits.
Former Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai has shared his clear and honest views on the ongoing debate around retired judges joining political parties or accepting government posts after retirement. He spoke on this sensitive issue during an interview with ABP Majha, at a time when public discussion around judicial independence and post-retirement roles has intensified.
In recent years, several former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and High Courts have faced criticism for accepting Rajya Sabha nominations, governorships, or openly associating with political parties after retirement. When asked whether he would accept any such role if offered, Justice Gavai gave a cautious but firm response.
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Replying to the question, Gavai said,
“I have already made it clear that I will not accept any office of government benefit or governorship. But I haven’t had time to think about other things. But if it’s time to think, I can’t say anything today. No one can say what destiny has in mind. But I don’t believe in thinking about such things too much in advance. Because if there is such a time tomorrow and you make a decision, you will say that you said this before, then whether your word has value or not.”
He further addressed the larger question of whether judges or Chief Justices should be associated with political ideology, especially after assuming judicial office. Justice Gavai stated that having an ideology does not automatically compromise judicial integrity.
Responding to this issue, he said,
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Because everyone has their own ideology. Therefore, even if I become a judge, I will be judged by Dr. The values inculcated by my father or the values of the republican movement will not be erased just because I became a judge. Similarly, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thoughts of political equality, political and economic equality were the reasons why I was able to give equality in most of my results.”
Justice Gavai also referred to one of his recent decisions concerning the forests of Vidarbha, explaining how constitutional values guided his judgment. He said the issue was examined from the perspective of social and economic justice, not merely environmental protection.
He explained,
“A few days ago, I had raised the issue of sleeping forests in Vidarbha from the point of view of social and economic justice. Because if I had not given it to Nirmay, many irrigation projects in Vidarbha, school buildings, primary health centres and government buildings would have been destroyed and most importantly, thousands of poor people living on those lands would have become homeless. Therefore, while coordinating with the rights and protection of the environment, a citizen of this country should not become homeless, he should not become a means of livelihood. I have taken this decision in accordance with the guidelines of our Constitution,” Gavai said.
The former CJI also clarified that his judicial decisions were never influenced by any expectation of post-retirement benefits. He recalled that he had publicly committed to not accepting government positions even before rising to the highest judicial offices.
He stated,
“When I became a judge for the first time in 2019, I had announced that I would not hold any government post after I retired. Then when I became a Supreme Court judge in 2025, I said the same thing. Therefore, if anyone thinks that any of my decisions have been made with the intention of getting something from the government, then it is not possible at all. If you make a decision that is connected to the thoughts that you have been associated with since childhood, then there is nothing wrong with it. Right now, there is nothing in my head,” former CJI Bhushan Gavai said.
Justice Gavai’s remarks are being seen as an important contribution to the national conversation on judicial ethics, post-retirement conduct of judges, and the balance between personal ideology and constitutional duty. His statements underline that while judges may carry lifelong values, their decisions must always be rooted in the Constitution and public interest, not personal gain.
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