Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: On November 23, Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai is scheduled to retire. November 21 (Friday) was his final working day as CJI, and the Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association (SCAORA) held a farewell event to honour him at the apex court on Thursday.
During his address, the CJI told the gathering that even though he practices Buddhism as his faith, he is a truly secular person who believes in every religion, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and others.
CJI Gavai said he learned the importance of secularism from his father, who he described as genuinely secular and an erudite follower of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.
The CJI recalled: "While growing up, when we used to accompany him to political functions and his friends said, 'Come here, the dargah here is famous, or the gurdwara here is famous', we used to go there."
Getting emotional, he said that whatever position he has reached today has been possible only because of the Constitution and Dr Ambedkar. He said it is hard to imagine that a boy who studied sitting on the floor in a municipal school could rise to this post. CJI Gavai added that he has always tried to embody the four core pillars of the Indian Constitution — justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity — in his work and conduct.
CJI Gavai lauded the important role the judges, the Supreme Court, the bar, the registry, and the staff that go into decision-making in aiding the judges and help the apex court function. He underlined that it is not only the judges, the public faces of the judiciary, but also all the other staff which go into decision-making regarding judgments.
"The Supreme Court is a very great institution. Unless all the stakeholders, including the judges, the bar, the registry and staff work together, the court cannot function. The Supreme Court Bar Association and SCAORA should always be taken on board where problems of the bar are concerned," he said.
At the event, CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant commended CJI Gavai’s humanistic outlook and his commitment to justice. "I have seen the humane side of Justice Gavai. He is warm, gracious and a great host. I am quite sure that even after his retirement, he will continue to guide the institution. His experience will remain an asset for the institution," Justice Kant said.
SCAORA president Vipin Nair also thanked CJI Gavai, saying that he showed sensitivity on the issue of lawyers being summoned for questioning by investigative agencies, took cognisance of it, and initiated appropriate steps.
