CJI BR Gavai said the Supreme Court’s decisions are the result of joint efforts by judges, lawyers, registry, and staff, not judges alone. He urged stronger coordination with Bar bodies while reflecting on unity and secular values in his farewell speech.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while speaking at his farewell ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association (SCAORA) at the Supreme Court in New Delhi, highlighted the collective role played by everyone involved in the functioning of the apex court.
In very clear terms, he praised not only the judges but also the Bar, the registry, and the court staff for their vital contribution to the justice delivery system and the decision-making process behind every judgment.
CJI Gavai made it clear that the judiciary is not run by judges alone. He said that people usually see only the judges when a judgment is delivered, but behind every important decision there is continuous effort from many individuals.
Emphasising this point, he stated,
“I always believe that the Supreme Court is a very great institution, and unless all the stateholders work together, like judges, bar, registry, staff. People only see the judges after a judgement comes but it is not only the judges, but the entire Supreme Court, the bar, the registry, and the staff that go into decision-making,”
CJI Gavai said.
During his address, he also stressed the importance of maintaining strong coordination between judicial institutions and bar bodies. According to him, both the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) must be involved whenever matters related to the Bar are discussed.
In this context, he added that the bar should never be kept out of discussions that directly affect it and said,
“Therefore, the Supreme Court Bar Association, as well as the SCAORA (The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association), should always be taken on board regarding the issues of the bar, the CJI added.”
These observations were made just days before his last working day as Chief Justice of India, which falls on November 20. Although his official retirement date is November 23, the Supreme Court remains closed on weekends, making November 20 his final day in office.
His farewell event marked an emotional moment in his judicial journey as he reflected on his values, beliefs, and professional path.
Speaking about his personal life and upbringing, CJI Gavai shared his thoughts on secularism and religious harmony. He explained that even though he follows Buddhism, he respects all religions and considers himself a truly secular person.
Referring to his values, he said that he had learned this inclusive outlook from his father, who was a devoted follower of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. Sharing a personal memory, he said,
The CJI said,
“While growing up with him (my father), whenever he used to visit various places for his political functions, if his friends asked ki sir yahan chalo yaha ka Dargah famous hai, Gurudwara famous hai. So I’ve been brought up that way, to respect all religions”,
Justice BR Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025. His tenure as CJI lasted nearly six months and came after a distinguished career of more than six and a half years as a judge of the Supreme Court.
During his time in office, he focused on strengthening institutional cooperation and ensuring that the judiciary functions as a unified system involving judges, lawyers, and court staff working together.
Before concluding his term, CJI Gavai also recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor, paving the way for the next phase of leadership at the Supreme Court of India.
His farewell remarks reflected not just his commitment to the rule of law, but also his dedication to unity, inclusiveness, and respect for every pillar of the Indian judicial system.
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