New Delhi:
‘When the country is in danger, the Supreme Court cannot be separated, we are part of the country’, Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai, the Chief Justice of India on Sunday said on the Pahgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
On May 14, CJI Dhanam, who was ready to take office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, said, “When we heard about the incident, we were stunned. I called a full court meeting after taking permission from the Chief Justice of India (Sanjeev Khanna), because he was not in the country.
In the first, the Supreme Court condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and saw a moment of silence in memory of the victims. Traditionally, the apex court observes a two -minute silence only on 30 January each year, recalling the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
On the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after ‘Operation Sindoor’, Justice Gawai said that no one benefits from the war, and a ceasefire is good. He gave the example of the ongoing struggles between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Gaza.
“What are the disasters of Yuda’s disasters, we have already seen … It has been three years that we are watching war in Ukraine … More than 50 thousand have died … Other conflicts in Gaza have seen many more casualties … As a citizen of the country, everyone is worried, whatever happens, whatever happens for everyone … We will know more till the fort, we will know more.”
Justice Gawai, who will also be the first Buddhist CJI, said that it is “a coincidence that I am taking oath a day after Buddha Purnima”.
He said that on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, he would visit the Shanti Stupa located in Indraprastha Park, and offer prayers.
In an informal conversation with journalists, Justice Gawai also clarified that he would not take any retirement assignments.
Asked if he would join politics like his father, Justice Gawai said, “No political ambition. I have decided to take any post retirement assignment or post. Any other assignment is also below CJI post, the governor is also below the CJI post,” he said.
Justice Gawai, a famous politician, is the son of Gawai, who was the Governor of Bihar and Kerala. He belongs to a family that is deeply involved in promoting BR Ambedkar’s ideals. His father was a prominent Ambedkarite and a former member of Parliament.
Born in a Maharashtra village, Justice Gawai said that he still prefers to visit his village thrice a year, especially on the anniversary of his late father’s birth and death and during the annual fair in his village.
On the comments of Vice President Jagdeep Dhikar and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey against the Supreme Court and CJI, Justice Gawai said, “The supreme that is already known. This is the constitution that is the highest.”
Dhankar accused the Supreme Court of acting as “Super Parliament” and said that it could not fire “nuclear missiles” in democratic forces.
Justice Gawai also spoke to Justice Yashwant Verma on cash recovery from his official residence in Delhi. He said that the Supreme Court -appointed committee convicted him and the matter is referred to to President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for later action.
Asked if any FIR could be lodged against Justice Verma in the case, he refused to divide any details.
The appointment of Justice Gawai comes on 13 May after the supernation of outgoing CJI, Sanjeev Khanna.
Born on November 24, 1960 in Amravati, he joined the bar on March 16, 1985 and started his practice in the Bombay High Court and before the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court.
He was appointed as a government petitioner and public prosecutor for the Nagpur bench on 17 January 2000. He was elevated as an additional judge of the High Court on November 14, 2003 and became a permanent judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2005.
Justice Gawai was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on 24 May 2019.
In the last six years, he was a part of about 700 benches related to matters related to various subjects related to various subjects including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, commercial dispute, arbitration law, power law, education, environment law, etc.
Justice Gawai will retire on 23 November 2025.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
