Will always strive for social, political justice: CJI-designate Gavai

NEW DELHI: True to his steadfast alignment to Ambedkar's philosophy of equality and dignity for the downtrodden and a day before taking oath as CJI, Justice Bhushan Ramakant Gavai said he considers his position as a judge and head of judiciary an opportunity to strive for social and political justice.

"Justice must be equitable irrespective of a person's social or monetary status," Gavai said. "Timely justice is the ultimate goal," he said.

Interacting with TOI after visiting the Shanti Stupa in Delhi on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai said B R Ambedkar’s belief in the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity remains eternally essential for India’s democracy and unity.

Legal aid to the poor is dear to his heart. He wants National Legal Services Authority and the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee to synchronise their activities with state- and district-level legal service authorities to create synergy for making litigation affordable and less tortuous for the poor.

Diversity and inclusivity is also a mantra that has become part of his decision-making process over the years. “We will attempt to get women judges and give representation to diverse communities in constitutional courts without compromising merit and suitability,” he said.

“Timely justice is the ultimate goal,” the CJI-designate said. “Reducing pendency at every level of the three-tier justice delivery system through a long-term strategy is the need of the hour. Augmentation of judicial infrastructure and facilities for litigants, especially in district and taluk level courts, will be given priority during my tenure,” Justice Gavai said. During his tenure, the collegium led by him will have the opportunity to fill five vacancies that will arise in the SC.

He will be the first Buddhist CJI and second Dalit, after CJI K G Balakrishnan, in the 75-year history of SC. Ahead of taking oath as the 52nd CJI, the man who inspired him with the ideals of Ambedkar, his late politician father R S Gavai’s prophetic words played on a loop in his mind.

He also reflected on his journey in formal education that started from a municipal school in a semi-slum area of his native town Amravati, Vidarbha. He studied in Bombay after his father became vice-chairperson and then chairperson of Maharashtra legislative council. After doing first-year law from Govt Law College, Bombay, he had to return to Amravati to complete LLB as his father fell out with Rajiv Gandhi and did not get the position he had enjoyed in legislative council.

After getting his law degree, he started practising in Nagpur, which has a bench of Bombay HC, built a significant practice and shared a professional table with Sharad A Bobde, who went on to become the 48th CJI. Gavai applied for ‘senior’ designation with the intention to shift his practice to Delhi. At that juncture, Bombay HC Chief Justice C K Thakker sought his consent for recommending his name for appointment as an HC judge.

He was not inclined, but consulted his parliamentarian father, who told him, “Accept the offer of judgeship. You will contribute more to society. One day, you will become the Chief Justice of India. But I will not be there to see that day.” Gavai Sr died in July 2015, much before Justice Gavai was appointed as an SC judge.

Justice Gavai shifted from Nagarapalika Prathamik Vidyalaya, Amravati, to Chikitsak Samuha Madhyamik Shala, Girgaon, Mumbai, when his father became deputy chairperson of Maharashtra legislative council.

His mother Kamalatai thought Gavai would lag in English studying in a Marathi medium school and insisted on his admission to Holy Name High School in Colaba.

His name was recommended for HC judgeship in 2002, but it was returned as he was less than 45 years in age. He took oath as a judge of Bombay HC on November 14, 2003.