Page 2 - Chief Justice Of India

SC agrees to hear plea seeking more time for waqf property registration

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to list an application seeking extension of time for mandatory registration of all waqf properties, including waqf-by-users under the UMEED portal. In an interim order, the top court had on September 15 put on hold a few key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, including a clause that only those practising Islam for the last five years could create Waqf, but refused to stay the entire law outlining the presumption of constitutionality in its favour. It also held the Centre's order to delete the "waqf by user" provision in the newly-amended waqf law was prima facie not arbitrary and the argument that waqf lands would be grabbed by governments held no water. Waqf by user refers to a practice where a property is recognised as a religious or charitable endowment (waqf) based on its long-term, uninterrupted use for such purposes, even if there isn't a formal, written declaration of waqf by the owner. On Thursday, a bench headed by Chief Just

SCBA terminates membership of lawyer for attempting to hurl shoe at CJI

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday terminated with immediate effect membership of lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to hurl a shoe towards Chief Justice of India B R Gavai inside the courtroom, after finding him guilty of grave misconduct. In a shocking security breach, Kishore (71) attempted to hurl a shoe towards the CJI and was heard shouting "Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge" (will not tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma). The Bar Council of India suspended Kumar's bar licence with immediate effect. The SCBA said Kishore's reprehensible, disorderly and intemperate behaviour amounted to a direct assault on judicial independence and a serious breach of professional ethics, decorum and the dignity of the Supreme Court. "The Executive Committee finds that the said conduct amounts to a direct assault on judicial independence, the sanctity of courtroom proceedings, and the longstanding relationship of mutual respect and trust between the Bar and the Bench. "The Executive ..

Pendency of matters before courts, tribunals major problem: CJI Gavai

Huge pendency of matters is a "major problem," Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has said, noting that disputes involving an amount of Rs 6.85 lakh crore are still pending consideration before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). The CJI was speaking at a symposium titled 'Income Tax Appellate Tribunal -- Role, Challenges and Way Forward' and a felicitation ceremony held here on Wednesday. Justice Gavai, however, praised ITAT for bringing down the pendency of cases from 85,000 to 24,000 in the last five years. "A major problem as is with the courts as well as the other tribunals is with regard to huge pendency. I am happy to note that as Shri Bhadang (ITAT head) said that in last five years they have brought down the pendency from 85,000 to 24,000. "I must congratulate all the members of the ITAT as well as the members of the Bar because without the cooperation of the Bar this could not have been possible for achieving such great achievement. However, still the matters involvi

'Have no regrets, God did it': Lawyer after throwing shoe at CJI Gavai

Gavai was involved in a controversy over comments he made about a Lord Vishnu idol while hearing a case related to the restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol at Khajuraho

George Bush to Manmohan Singh: When shoes were hurled at prominent figures

Following the shoe-throwing attempt at CJI BR Gavai, here's a look at other similar incidents involving public figures

Conflict, when approached constructively, can be chance for growth: CJI

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said mediation and open communication offer a path to transform discord into dialogue, turning tension into collaboration and restoring harmony between parties. Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day National Mediation Conference in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, he said the practice of mediation continued in different societies for ages and it got the recognition through the framing of The Mediation Act, 2023. "I would like to say that it is not the mere existence of a quarrel or disagreement that disturbs our peace, but the refusal to listen, empathise, and make a genuine effort to resolve it. Conflict, when approached constructively, can become an opportunity for growth and understanding," he said. Justice Gavai said the Act ensures justice that is participatory, equitable, and accessible, while also helping reduce the ever-growing pendency of cases before courts. Governor Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Justice

Datanomics: Punjab still at top in stubble burning, MP closing in

The share of Madhya Pradesh has seen a steep surge in farm fire incidents in recent years, accounting for 35 per cent of total in the country

'I respect all religions': CJI Gavai clarifies remarks amid Khajuraho row

CJI BR Gavai said his remarks were misrepresented after the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking reinstallation of a Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho's Javari Temple

CJI cites Nepal, Bangladesh unrest to laud strength of Indian Constitution

Violent unrest in neighbouring Nepal and the constitutional breakdown in Bangladesh last year found mention in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai, hearing the presidential reference on whether the court could impose timelines for governors and the president to deal with Bills passed by assemblies, made the remarks during the day-long hearing. "We are proud of our Constitution. See what is happening in our neighbouring states. Nepal, we saw" the CJI remarked. "Yes, Bangladesh also," Justice Vikram Nath said, while referring to similar protests that plagued Bangladesh last year. Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli resigned in the face of massive anti-government demonstrations on Tuesday, shortly after hundreds of agitators entered his office demanding his resignation for the death of at least 19 people in police action during Monday's protests over corruption and a social media ban.

Elgar Parishad case: SC defers Surendra Gadling bail plea to Sept 17

The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred to September 17 the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and K Vinod Chandran deferred the matter after Additional Solicitor General S V Raju sought time. Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for Gadling, opposed Raju's request for an adjournment highlighting the plea's pendency since 2023. Grover said Gadling has spent over six years behind bars, with charges not even been framed in the case. Chief Justice B R Gavai had posted the matter for today after being informed on August 26 that Justice M M Sundresh had recused from hearing the bail plea. Previously, a bench comprising Justices Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh was scheduled to hear the plea. On August 8, Grover mentioned the matter before CJI Gavai for an early hearing, citing his client Gadling's over six-year-long incarceration. "The bail plea has been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme

SC regains full strength as CJI Gavai administers oath to two new judges

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Friday administered oath to Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi. The two were elevated to the Supreme Court on August 27. With their elevation, the apex court is set to regain its full working strength of 34 judges, including the CJI. Justice Pancholi will be in line to become the CJI in October 2031 after Justice Joymalya Bagchi's retirement on October 2, 2031. He is scheduled to assume the CJI's office on October 3, 2031, and retire on May 27, 2033. On August 25, the apex court collegium recommended to the Centre the names of Justices Aradhe and Pancholi for elevation as top court judges. Collegium member and Supreme Court's Justice B V Nagarathna, however, registered a strong dissent to the apex court collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Pancholi to the top court, saying his appointment would be "counter-productive" to the judiciary. Justice Nagarathna, the only wom

SC judgment on house demolitions reaffirmed citizens' rights: CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has said he was glad that the Supreme Court's ruling against the demolition of houses of accused persons without following due procedure of law upheld the rights of citizens. He was part of the SC bench that last year slammed instant bulldozer justice' and laid down pan-India guidelines on demolition of properties, saying the executive could become a judge and declare an accused as guilty and demolish his house. Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Goa High Court Bar Association in Panaji on Saturday, the CJI also explained the reasoning behind his landmark judgment on the creamy layer in the reserved category. Pointing out to the speeches by earlier speakers during the felicitation, which referred to his historic judgments, CJI Gavai said, I am really happy that we could do something as a custodian of the Constitution for protecting the rights of citizens whose houses were demolished without following the procedures of law. He said

States will be at whims of governor if nod to Bills withheld: Supreme Court

The court was hearing the maintainability of the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143

'I will look into it': CJI Gavai on Delhi-NCR stray dog removal order

CJI BR Gavai has assured a review of the Supreme Court's order to remove stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets, after the matter was raised in court citing earlier legal provisions

Rights without knowledge are of no use, says CJI Gavai at NALSA event

Rights without knowledge are of no use: CJI Gavai

One nation, one poll: JPC likely to meet July 30; Ex-CJIs may share views

The next meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 'One Nation, One Election' is likely to be held on July 30, panel chairman P P Chaudhary said. In an Interview with PTI Videos, Chaudhary said Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha and Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde might be called to express their views in the next meeting. The JPC, headed by BJP MP Chaudhary, has been speaking to jurists and legal experts as it prepares its recommendation on the bill. Former chief justices of India, J S Khehar and D Y Chandrachud, interacted with the committee during its eighth sitting on Friday. "The committee is discussing the issue very seriously and various legal luminaries, including former Chief Justices of India, have given their views to help us understand if this idea fits within the constitutional framework," he said. Chaudhary said the next meeting of the committee will possibly be held on July 30. Asked when the committee will submit its report, Chaudhary said there is no hurry because the v

CJI Gavai calls for reforms in legal system while addressing law graduates

The Indian legal system has been facing unique challenges and is badly in need of fixing, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on Saturday. Delivering Convocation Address at Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad at Justice City near here, Justice Gavai advised students to go abroad for studies on scholarships, not to put pressure on family finances. "Even though I conclude that our legal system is badly in need of fixing, I remain cautiously optimistic that my fellow citizens will rise to the challenges, CJI Gavai said. "Our country and legal system are facing unique challenges. Delays in trials can sometimes go for decades. We have seen cases where someone has been found innocent after spending years in jail as an undertrial. Our best talent can help us resolve the problems that we are facing," he further said. He advised the passing out graduates to seek mentors not for their power, but for integrity. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Supreme Court Judge Justice PS Narasimha als

Ambedkar wanted judiciary to be free from executive interference: CJI Gavai

Dr B R Ambedkar spoke about the supremacy of the Constitution and believed that judiciary should be free from interference from the executive, Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai said here on Tuesday. He was speaking after being felicitated by the Maharashtra legislature upon his elevation to the top judicial post. Ambedkar had said that we all believe in the supremacy of the Constitution which will keep the country united during peace and war, Gavai said in his address to the legislature. The Constitution gives rights to the three wings -- Executive, Legislature and Judiciary -- and according to Ambedkar, judiciary has to work as a watchdog and custodian of citizens' rights, the chief justice said. Ambedkar also said that judiciary should be free from executive interference, he added. The CJI also quoted Ambedkar as stating that the Constitution cannot be static, it has to be organic and keep evolving. Earlier, both houses of the Maharashtra legislature congratulate

Supreme Court urges Centre to reclaim CJI residence from DY Chandrachud

Justice Chandrachud demitted office of CJI in November 2024 but continues to reside in the Type VIII bungalow nearly eight months later

Interpretation of law, Constitution must suit society's needs: CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Saturday said the interpretation of law or the Constitution has to be "pragmatic" and in a way that suits the needs of society. Speaking at a felicitation organised for him by the Bombay High Court here, he also mentioned that recently he had received complaints about the rude behaviour of "some of the colleagues", and urged the judges to protect the reputation of the institution. Citing a past Supreme Court judgement, Gavai said any law or the Constitution has to be interpreted in the context of "problems faced by the present generation." "The interpretation has to be pragmatic. It has to be one that suits the needs of society," he added. Judges are expected to work as per their conscience, the oath of office and law, but "should never be perturbed once the matter is decided", he said. A judge should cut off his mind from the matter and forget what happens to it thereafter, he added. Talking about the appointment of judges, the