Outgoing Chief Justice B R Gavai bid an emotional goodbye to the Supreme Court, saying he leaves with complete satisfaction after serving the nation to the best of his ability. He described his four-decade legal journey as deeply fulfilling and guided by constitutional values.
New Delhi: Justice B.R. Gavai, the outgoing Chief Justice of India, marked an emotional farewell to the Supreme Court as he concluded a distinguished legal journey spanning nearly four decades.
Speaking during the ceremonial farewell before a bench that included CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant and Justice K Vinod Chandran, he expressed gratitude, reflection, and a sense of fulfilment as he prepared to demit office on November 23, 2025, with November 21 being his last working day.
In his heartfelt address, Justice Gavai said he was leaving the institution “with a full sense of satisfaction and contentment” and as a “student of justice” after listening to kind words and tributes from fellow judges, senior advocates, and law officers.
He further shared,
“After listening to all of you, and particularly the poems of Attorney General (R Venkataramani) and Kapil Sibal and the warm sentiments expressed by all of you, my voice is choking with emotions.”
He continued with deep emotion, saying,
“When I leave this courtroom for the last time …, I leave this court all with full sense of satisfaction, the full sense of contentment that I have done whatever which I could have done for this country…Thank you. Thank you very much,”
as the courtroom stood filled with members of the legal fraternity.
Justice Gavai’s tenure was widely remembered for its strong constitutional grounding and human touch. Colleagues spoke about the lasting impact he has made, highlighting the significance of him being the second Dalit Chief Justice of India after Justice K G Balakrishnan and the first Buddhist to hold the top judicial post.
Reflecting on his core beliefs, he said,
“I always believe that everybody, every judge, every lawyer, is governed by the principles on which our Constitution works that is equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity and I tried to discharge my duties within the four corners of the Constitution that is so dear to all of us.”
Looking back at his journey, he recalled starting his legal career in 1985 and evolving through various stages to eventually lead the apex court.
He stated,
“When I joined the (legal) profession in 1985, I entered the school of law. Today, as I demit the office, I do so as a student of justice.”
He described his professional path from advocate to High Court judge, Supreme Court judge and finally Chief Justice as “deeply satisfying” and emphasised that public office should be viewed as a responsibility rather than authority, stating that it is not about power but an
“an opportunity to serve society and the nation.”
Justice Gavai also spoke about his deep admiration for Dr B R Ambedkar and his father, who was closely associated with Ambedkar. He said his judicial thinking was shaped by Ambedkar’s vision and commitment to justice for all sections of society.
He explained,
“I always tried to balance fundamental rights with the Directive Principles of State Policy.”
I noted that many of his decisions focused on combining constitutional freedoms with sustainable development and environmental protection.
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Referring to a guiding judicial belief, he quoted,
“a judge must not alter the material but may iron out the creases”,
calling it a principle that influenced his entire tenure.
On his writing style, Justice Gavai humbly remarked,
“I always believe that judgments should be written for the end consumers. I do not have a flair for academics or literature…”.
He also expressed his long-standing commitment to environmental justice, saying,
“In all these years, I tried to protect the rights of citizens while ensuring that the environment and wildlife were preserved,”
highlighting how environmental preservation remained close to his heart throughout his judicial career.
Speaking about administrative decisions during his time as CJI, he clarified that leadership was always collective in nature, stating,
“All decisions I took as CJI were taken collectively… I believed we must function as an institution.”
Praising his years of service, Justice Surya Kant described him warmly, saying,
“He was more than a colleague …he was my brother and a confidant, and a man of immense integrity”.
He added,
“He handled cases with patience and dignity. He encouraged young lawyers. His firmness was always laced with humour…Not a single day went by when he didn’t threaten an insistent lawyer with costs, but he never imposed one,”
reflecting the balanced temperament Justice Gavai was known for.
Attorney General R Venkataramani spoke about the meaning of the word ‘Bhushan’ in Marathi and linked it to Justice Gavai’s presence in the legal world, describing how he had adorned the judiciary through his service and values.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also paid tribute to his humility and consistency, recalling their early interactions and emphasising his unchanged nature as a person.
He highlighted the cultural grounding of recent judgments and echoed the philosophy that
“Judgment should be a judgment, not an article for a law review,”
appreciating the clarity and practicality of Justice Gavai’s approach.
SCBA President Vikas Singh recalled his simplicity and sincerity, sharing his memorable statement that he did not take security to his village and believed that
“If someone is killing me in my own village, I do not deserve to live.”
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal also praised him, calling his elevation to the highest judicial office a reflection of social transformation and remarking that it symbolised “enormous social churning” in India.
He emphasised how Justice Gavai managed to rise to the highest judicial position while maintaining humility and simplicity.
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Justice Gavai’s career milestones include his appointment as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, becoming a permanent judge on November 12, 2005, and his elevation as a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019.
He joined the Bar on March 16, 1985 and served as standing counsel for various local bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University.
His farewell marks the end of a deeply respected chapter in Indian judicial history, leaving behind a legacy rooted in constitutional values, inclusivity, and service to justice.
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