Justice BR Gavai, who is set to take over as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 13, paid rich tribute to former CJI NV Ramana for redefining the role of the country’s top judge.
Speaking at the launch of Justice Ramana’s new book Narratives off the Bench: A Judge Speaks in New Delhi, Gavai described Ramana as a “people’s Chief Justice” who broke away from traditional judicial aloofness and connected meaningfully with the public.
“I think he must be one of the first Chief Justices of India who broke the ice of judges being isolated from the public,” Gavai said at the event, acknowledging Ramana’s efforts to bring the judiciary closer to society.
Gavai also quoted Ramana’s reflections on the responsibilities of the Chief Justice, highlighting the need for a far-sighted approach. “The role of CJI calls for a long-term vision for the institution. The duties of CJI aren’t limited to the Supreme Court but extend to the entire judicial system across the nation,” Gavai recalled.
He affirmed his commitment to continuing on that path, adding, “I assure Justice Ramana that I will try to follow his words of wisdom and guidance.”
One of the key achievements of Ramana’s tenure, according to Justice Gavai, was his push to make the judiciary more inclusive. “Among the nine judges appointed to the Supreme Court during his time, there were individuals from Scheduled Castes and OBC communities. For the first time, one-third representation was given to women, with three women judges taking oath together,” he noted, applauding Ramana’s vision of diversity.
Sharing a personal anecdote from 2019, Gavai recalled the early days of his interactions with Supreme Court judges. Back when he was a High Court judge, he said he used to avoid close contact with Supreme Court judges, fearing that such interactions might be perceived as inappropriate. Over time, however, he developed close ties with Justice Ramana and Justice Surya Kant.
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He pointed out that the three of them shared similar backgrounds—each one from an agricultural family, each a first-generation lawyer, and all coming from humble legal beginnings.
Justice Gavai also touched on the immense popularity that Justice Ramana enjoyed among the general public, especially during his visits to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh after becoming the CJI. “I don't think anybody else would enjoy the kind of popularity that Justice Ramana has across diverse sections of society,” he said.
In his response, Justice Ramana expressed confidence in Gavai’s upcoming tenure as CJI, describing him as a leader who would bring “humility, empathy, and vision” to the post. He also emphasised the importance of institutional trust within the judiciary. “When the rank and file of the judiciary are assured that the highest judicial institution stands firm to safeguard their rights and redress their grievances, they are less likely to seek support from political or executive powers,” Ramana said.
Justice Surya Kant, who was also present at the launch, echoed these sentiments and praised Ramana’s unique approach to judicial responsibility. “He consistently emphasised that while judges must remain impartial and restrained within the courtroom, they must not lose touch with the people outside it,” he said, applauding Ramana’s ability to balance judicial dignity with public engagement.
The event highlighted not only Justice Ramana’s contributions to the Indian judiciary but also the vision and values Justice Gavai aims to carry forward as the next Chief Justice of India.
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