CJI Bhushan Gavai emphasizes the egalitarian nature of the Supreme Court’s leadership, highlighting democratic reforms by past CJIs.
Nagpur: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, while speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by the Nagpur High Court Bar Association (HCBA) at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, said that the Supreme Court is not only meant for the Chief Justices.
Addressing a full gathering of lawyers, judges, and legal professionals, CJI Gavai stated that the Chief Justice is “first among equals” and not the master of the Supreme Court.
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He said,
“The CJI is ‘first among equals’ and not the master of the Supreme Court.”
He firmly rejected the belief that the apex court is controlled solely by the CJI, and recalled efforts by himself and former Chief Justices Uday Umesh Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna to bring more transparency and inclusiveness to the functioning of the top court.
“I have immense respect for my predecessors, particularly CJIs Lalit and Khanna, who, despite short tenures, ushered in democratic reforms and inclusiveness,”
he added, highlighting how important it is to have a democratic working system inside the judiciary.
CJI Gavai expressed heartfelt gratitude to former CJI Uday Lalit, who felicitated him on stage.
He said with visible emotion,
“This honour from my brothers and sisters of HCBA means more to me than any accolade. I feel privileged that Justice Lalit is the one felicitating me,”
He also remembered his early days in the legal profession and the people who helped shape his career. Recalling his initial days, he credited his mentors — Raja Bhosale, Bhausahab Bobde, and VR Manohar — for guiding him at a crucial stage of his life.
He said,
“They suggested I shift to Nagpur and join the HCBA — a decision that proved to be a turning point in my life,”
In 1990, CJI Gavai joined the Government Pleader’s office in Nagpur under Advocate General VR Manohar. Recalling that time, he shared,
“I was still under seven years into my practice when I was offered the role of Assistant Government Pleader.”
He also talked about a time in the early 1990s when there was a bitter election within the HCBA. Despite the conflict, he said personal bonds were not broken.
He remarked,
“Despite a bitter election, personal friendships remained intact. We restored peace by electing Kumkum Sirpurkar as the first woman president and Nitin Sambre as secretary — both unifying choices,”
CJI Gavai appreciated the contribution of former Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde for encouraging him to accept the post of Government Pleader in 2000.
“If I hadn’t taken up the role of GP, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to argue against such stalwarts,”
he said while mentioning senior lawyers like Manohar, CG Madkholkar, and KH Deshpande.
He also noted how that role helped him mentor many young lawyers who later went on to become judges of the High Court.
These include names like Nitin Sambre, Bharti Dangre, VM Deshpande, and Anil Kilor.
He added,
“I was able to mentor several young lawyers, many of whom have become High Court judges,”
CJI Gavai spoke about his judicial work across benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Goa. He shared that the experience helped him grow not just as a judge, but also as a person committed to justice and fairness.
“As a judge presiding over PILs in Nagpur, I ensured that the Nagpur–Jabalpur highway, long delayed, was completed with ecological considerations like underpasses for wildlife.”
He also reflected on his entire judicial journey with satisfaction and pride.
“I have had a deeply satisfying tenure across all four benches. I received immense love from my colleagues and bar associations. I do not accept felicitation ceremonies generally, but I will make an exception for the places where I served as a judge — Aurangabad and Goa.”
During his tenure at the Nagpur Bench of the High Court, he presided over several important decisions.
These included rulings that reaffirmed the constitutional courts’ powers over conflicting orders from the National Green Tribunal and decisions that helped increase the number of MBBS seats in government colleges.
“I was deeply satisfied with my work across Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Goa benches,”
CJI Gavai concluded, wrapping up an inspiring and humble speech that reflected on his long and successful legal journey.
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