CJI BR Gavai emphasized that judges must uphold justice and serve the cause of freedom rather than pursue personal wealth. He warned that misconduct by even a single judge can tarnish the reputation of the entire judiciary.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Saturday highlighted the importance of judges exercising their powers with utmost humility and responsibility, warning that the misconduct of even a few judges can impact the reputation of the entire judiciary.
Speaking at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) conference, CJI Gavai referred to a recent incident where a young lawyer reportedly fainted after being reprimanded by a judge of the Bombay High Court.
He said,
“Instances are reported in the bar, in newspapers, or even circulate online because of the actions of a single judge in a High Court. I will not name anyone, but such incidents affect the institution as a whole. One such example was when a lawyer fainted in court. Situations like this remind us of an accepted proposition .. that judges and lawyers are like two wings of the golden bird of justice. Neither superior nor inferior, both are essential. Unless judges and lawyers work together, the institution of the administration of justice, which has existed in this country for centuries, cannot function properly.”
He said,
“I hope that leaders in the judiciary are not in love with money, but in love with justice and with the great cause of freedom.”
He said,
“Citizens who come before us place their faith in the system. They must believe they will receive justice. Our judgments should never be coloured by anything other than responsibility and fairness, and this extends not only within our official duties but in our lives outside as well.”
Reflecting on the purpose of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, the CJI noted that tribunals were created to reduce the burden on regular courts and expand access to justice.
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He said,
“Over the last four decades, Central Administrative Tribunal has made sustained efforts in ensuring improved access to justice. The Law Commission of India, in its 272nd Report, highlighted that CAT had achieved a disposal rate of nearly 94%. Between 2016 and 2019, it maintained an admirable disposal rate of 91%. As per its official website, CAT has disposed of nearly four lakh out of approximately six lakh cases instituted so far. These numbers reflect the commitment, discipline and dedication that have gone into building CAT as a credible and responsible institution.”
He said,
“Yet, pendency remains a continuing challenge. In 2017, CAT had about 44,000 pending cases, and the number has significantly risen since then, now crossing one lakh. A major concern is the filing of multiple challenges before High Courts after CAT’s decisions. This leads to prolonged litigation and adds to pendency. It may be worthwhile to consider whether a filtering mechanism or a certifying authority could determine which matters truly merit further appeal.”
He said judicial members should be familiar with public administration, while administrative members must receive training in legal reasoning.
He also called for a uniform and transparent appointment process with clear eligibility standards to ensure consistency and fairness in judgments.
He said while the current CAT website provides limited information, a comprehensive database across central and state tribunals would allow better case tracking, comparative analysis, and provide valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.
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