Page 2 - Chief Justices Of India

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

Ex-CJIs raise concerns on ONOE Bill, but back its constitutionality

Former chief justices of India, J S Khehar and D Y Chandrachud, are interacting on Friday with the parliamentary committee scrutinising the simultaneous election bill as it held its eighth sitting. Sources said both jurists are of the view that the concept of 'one nation one election' is not violative of the basic structure of the Constitution but have questioned the extent of power vested with the Election Commission in the proposed law. They have also made certain suggestions while throwing light on the journey of parliamentary system of democracy in the country. The Joint Committee of Parliament headed by BJP MP P P Chaudhary has been speaking to jurists and legal experts as it prepares its recommendation on the bill. Two other former chief justices of India, U U Lalit and Ranjan Gogoi, have appeared before the committee in past. While both of them did not question the constitutionality of simultaneous elections, they have questioned some aspects of the bill and offered

Without addressing inequalities, no nation can be democratic: CJI Gavai

Without addressing the structural inequalities that marginalise large sections of society, no nation can claim to be truly progressive or democratic, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on Wednesday while emphasising that socio-economic justice is a practical necessity for achieving long-term stability, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Speaking at a function in Milan on the topic of "Role of Constitution in Delivering Socio-Economic Justice in a Country: Reflections from 75 Years of Indian Constitution", the CJI said that justice is not an abstract ideal and it must take root in social structures, in the distribution of opportunity, and in the conditions under which people live. "Without addressing the structural inequalities that marginalise large sections of society, no nation can claim to be truly progressive or democratic. Socio-economic justice, in other words, a practical necessity for achieving long-term stability, social cohesion, and sustainable development," h

Judicial activism must not become 'judicial terrorism', says CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai emphasised that judicial review should be used sparingly, reserved only for the most exceptional cases

CJI Gavai calls Constitution 'quiet revolution' empowering oppressed

Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai has described the Constitution as a "quiet revolution etched in ink" and a transformative force that not only guarantees rights but actively uplifts the historically oppressed. Speaking at the Oxford Union on the theme 'From Representation to Realisation: Embodying the Constitution's Promise' on Tuesday, the CJI, the second Dalit and the first Buddhist to hold India's highest judicial office, highlighted the positive impact of the Constitution on marginalised communities and gave his example to drive home the point. "Many decades ago, millions of citizens of India were called 'untouchables'. They were told they were impure. They were told that they did not belong. They were told that they could not speak for themselves. But here we are today, where a person belonging to those very people is speaking openly, as the holder of the highest office in the judiciary of the country," the CJI said. He said the Constitution told the citizens that "they .

Constitution must be credited for keeping country united during crises: CJI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai on Saturday said that whenever the country has faced a crisis, it has remained united and strong, and that the Constitution should be credited for this. The CJI was addressing a function after the inauguration of advocate chambers and a multi-level parking at the Allahabad High Court here. "When the Constitution was being made and its final draft was presented before the Constituent Assembly, at that time some people used to say that the Constitution is too federal while some used to say that it is too unitary. "Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had replied that the Constitution is neither wholly federal nor wholly unitary. But one thing I can tell you is that we have given a Constitution which will keep India united and strong both in times of peace and war," CJI Gavai said. He said India has been on the path of development after independence due to the Constitution. "Today we see what is the condition of our neighbouring countries. And India is .

All high court judges entitled to full pension, rules Supreme Court

In a significant verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday held all high court judges, including additional judges, will be entitled to full pension and retirement benefits. The top court said the former chief justices of the high court will get Rs 15 lakh per annum as pension. Observing that denial would amount to violation of right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution, a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih said full pension will be paid to all irrespective of when they were appointed and whether they retired as additional judges or were later made permanent. The bench said discriminating among judges based on the timing of their appointment or their designation violates this fundamental right. The CJI, pronouncing the verdict, said families of deceased additional high court judges are also entitled to the same pension and retirement benefits as families of permanent judges. The bench said it has examined Article 200 of the Constituti

SC warns of jail for officials over Kanacha Gachibowli deforestation case

A bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih questioned why trees were felled taking advantage of a long weekend when the courts were not available

CJI Gavai's first verdict: SC calls Pune land transfer illegal, alarming

In his first ruling as CJI Justice BR Gavai declares 1998 Pune forest land transfer illegal slams politician bureaucrat builder nexus and orders land returned to forest department

Justice BR Gavai takes oath, becomes second Dalit Chief Justice of India

Justice Gavai, who was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna

'Overwhelmed, Justice Gavai will uphold SC values': CJI Sanjiv Khanna

Overwhelmed by the rich accolades on his last day at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday said he was certain his successor CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai would uphold values of the Supreme Court, fundamental rights and the basic constitutional doctrines. The ceremonial bench comprised the outgoing CJI, Justice Gavai, and Justice Sanjay Kumar, showcasing a rare moment of reflection, celebration, and reverence, not just for Justice Khanna's contributions, but the legacy of his uncle, former Supreme Court judge Justice H R Khanna, he took forward. The CJI called Justice Gavai his "biggest support" while expressing confidence in the latter's leadership and commitment to constitutional values. "What to say about justice and CJI designate B R Gavai, we got elevated the same year. Here we are in the collegium, and thereafter, we have interacted on several occasions. And I must say, he has been my biggest support. And I am sure that you have in Justice Gavai

CJI Sanjiv Khanna retires, BR Gavai to take oath as 52nd Chief Justice

Justice BR Gavai succeeds Sanjiv Khanna as the 52nd Chief Justice of India; oath on May 14. Khanna bids farewell, lauds Gavai's commitment to fundamental rights of the Constitution

SC makes assets of 21 judges public after April resolution decision

The incoming Chief Justice of India Justice B R Gavai has more than Rs 19.63 lakh as deposits in the bank

Courts have limited power to modify arbitral awards in rare cases, rules SC

Constitution Bench of the SC says modification of arbitral awards allowed only in limited cases like clerical errors, severable parts or under Article 142 to ensure complete justice

SC flags issue with undoing 'waqf by user'; says old mosques lack deeds

Supreme Court begins hearing on Waqf Act pleas, says undoing 'waqf by user' problematic as many old masjids have no sale deeds; asks Centre to clarify removal of key provision

Justice BR Gavai to take oath as 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14

Justice Gavai is currently the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court after CJI Khanna. He will serve as the 52nd Chief Justice of India until his retirement on November 23, 2025

SC to consider urgent listing of pleas challenging validity of Waqf Act

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider listing for urgent hearing the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, that there were several petitions on the issue and they needed to be listed for urgent hearing. Besides Sibal, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and lawyer Nizam Pasha mentioned other petitions for urgent listing. The CJI, who has done away with the practice of oral mentioning of cases for urgent listing, asked the lawyers to file letters or send mails for getting the matters listed before a bench. When Sibal said the same has already been done, the CJI said, "I will see the mentioning letter in the afternoon and take a call. We will list it." Pasha mentioned the petition filed by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi. President Droupadi Murmu

CJI, SC judges to disclose assets publicly amid Justice Varma cash row

All 30 Supreme Court judges will publicly disclose their assets on the court's website; this move for transparency will also apply to future judges

EVM verification plea to be heard by another SC bench, says CJI Khanna

The Supreme Court on Friday said the plea seeking a policy for verification of electronic voting machines will be heard by a bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta in January next year. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the fresh plea of former Haryana minister and five-time MLA Karan Singh Dalal and one Lakhan Kumar Singla on the issue will be heard by a bench headed by Justice Datta in the week commencing January 20, 2025. A bench comprising Justice Khanna and Justice Datta had delivered a verdict earlier in April rejecting the demand for bringing back the old paper ballots. At outset, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission, sought dismissal of the plea, saying that similar petitions for same reliefs were rejected earlier. The CJI said the bench headed by Justice Datta would hear this now. Earlier on December 13, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale had refused to hear the plea, sa

SC asks petitioners against 'Dharam Sansad' to send email seeking listing

The Supreme Court on Monday asked some former bureaucrats and social activists who moved a plea against a 'Dharam Sansad' in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, alleging a call was issued for the "genocide of Muslims", to send an email seeking urgent listing. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was urged by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for some former bureaucrats, that the plea needed urgent listing. "I will consider. Please send an email," Chief Justice Khanna said. Bhushan said an open call for the genocide of Muslims had been made and the plea needed urgent hearing as the 'Dharam Sansad' would be commencing on Tuesday. The 'Dharam Sansad' by the Yati Narsinghanand Foundation is proposed to be held from Tuesday to Saturday at the Shiv-Shakti temple complex in Ghaziabad's Dasna. Activists and former bureaucrats have moved a contempt petition against the Ghaziabad district administration and the Uttar Pradesh Police for their "willful and deliberat