CJI B R Gavai said courts in India and Nepal act as a bridge between people’s hopes and constitutional ideals. Speaking in Kathmandu, he stressed that the judiciary must ensure justice, equality, and human dignity in practice.
NEW DELHI: On September 5, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai on Friday highlighted the important role of the judiciary in both India and Nepal, saying that courts act as a connecting bridge between what people expect from justice and the values written in the Constitution.
He was speaking at the Nepal-India Judicial Dialogue 2025 held in Kathmandu, where judges and legal experts from both nations discussed ways to strengthen judicial systems and promote cooperation.
CJI Gavai stressed that the role of courts goes beyond giving decisions in disputes. According to him, the judiciary must also make sure that justice, equality, and human dignity are not only spoken about but also made real in people’s lives.
He said,
“In both countries, the judiciary serves as a bridge between the aspirations of the people and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. It is tasked not only with resolving disputes but also with ensuring that the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity are upheld in practice,”
The Chief Justice’s statement came at a time when discussions on the independence of the judiciary and access to justice are becoming central to democratic values across South Asia.
His remarks underlined the shared constitutional heritage of India and Nepal, where courts are seen as protectors of rights and as institutions that people look up to for fairness.
By calling the judiciary a “bridge,” CJI Gavai suggested that the courts must balance people’s expectations with constitutional values, ensuring that the justice system remains trustworthy, transparent, and people-centric.
CJ Gavai said that by interpreting the law in light of contemporary challenges, courts could guide the evolution of governance, inspire public trust, and reinforce the idea that democracy was sustained not merely by institutions, but by the values they embodied and exemplified.
He said the judiciary turned both a “guardian and a catalyst”, protecting the foundational structures of society while encouraging reforms that strengthen the moral and ethical fabric of the nation.
He said,
“This evolving role of the judiciary represents a significant broadening of its traditional function, which was largely understood as the application of black-letter law, that is, the strict interpretation and enforcement of statutory provisions and established legal principles.”
He said,
“Today, however, the judiciary is increasingly called upon to go beyond mere textual application, engaging with the deeper purposes and consequences of the law. Over the decades, this proactive role has become central to the judiciary’s identity.”
He said the Supreme Court’s commitment to strengthening democracy and justice had not been limited to judicial pronouncements alone.
He said,
“Equally significant are its efforts on the administrative and institutional fronts, where innovations in court management, case-flow procedures, digital infrastructure, and access-to-justice initiatives reflect a comprehensive vision of a judiciary that is responsive, efficient, and inclusive.”
He said the apex court’s efforts on the administrative and institutional fronts, with innovations in court management, case-flow procedures, digital infrastructure and access-to-justice initiatives, reflected a comprehensive vision of a “responsive, efficient and inclusive” judiciary.
He said the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure in India, with over 95 per cent of villages now having internet access and internet subscribers increasing by nearly 280 per cent between 2014 and 2024, together with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, had greatly accelerated the use of technology-driven reforms across all sectors, including the judiciary.
He said,
“The role of the judiciary, both on the judicial and administrative side, has thus evolved to address emerging challenges and to promote access to justice.”
He said,
“Such exchange of knowledge and experiences has become a necessary element for the growth and effectiveness of modern judiciaries,” while emphasising that in today’s globalised world judiciaries were increasingly interconnected, making it essential for them to learn from one another’s experiences.
This dialogue in Kathmandu has been seen as an important step to deepen judicial cooperation between India and Nepal, particularly in sharing best practices, improving legal frameworks, and addressing common challenges such as speedy trials and equal access to justice.
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