Merit will never be compromised: CJI Gavai

Interpretation of law, Constitution has to be pragmatic, as per society’s needs: CJI Gavai

06/07/2025

Mumbai, Jul 5: Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai reaffirmed the Supreme Court's commitment to transparency in judicial appointments during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Bombay Bar Association. He emphasised that the court is working to dispel the perception that the Supreme Court is "CJI-centric."
Speaking at the Bombay High Court in an event organised by the Bombay Bar Association, CJI Gavai highlighted ongoing efforts to ens-ure a more inclusive and transparent appointment process.
He noted that this approach had been strengthened since the tenure of Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
"...We have tried to dispel the impression that the Supreme Court is a CJI-Centric court," CJI Gavai said. "In the interest of the institution, from the period of Justice SanjivKhanna, we have tried to infuse more transparency in the matter of appointments."
He shared that the court had recently interviewed 54 candidates and recommended around 36 appoi-ntments. He assured that the selection process would continue to be transparent while ensuring fair representation from all sections of society.
"For the last three days, on the first two days, we held interviews with about 54 candidates, and yesterday we have recommended around 36 appointments...I must assure you that we will ensure that we adopt a complete process of transparency while ensuring that representation is given to all sections of society. The merit will never be compromised," he added.
Addressing the issue of case pendency, CJI Gavai acknowledged it as a serious challenge. He attributed one of the significant causes of pendency to judicial vacancies and assured that steps are being taken to address them.
"Pendency is a huge issue. We are trying to work on it. One of the reasons for dependency is the vacancies which are not filled up. This is the third function in Nagpur that has flagged an issue about interference in the functioning of the college. I must assure you that we will ensure that we will adopt a complete process of transparency. While ensuring that the representation is given to all sections of the society, the merit will never be compromised, and in so far as my own High Court is concerned, I can assure that the names, whatever are recommended, we will try to follow it up and that as soon as possible the Bombay High Court starts functioning at full strength so that at least the issue of dependency is addressed to some extent."
Justice BhushanRamkrishnaGavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May. President DroupadiMurmu administered the oath of office to Justice Gavai, who succeeded CJI Sanjiv Khanna. Justice Gavai is the first Buddhist Chief Justice and only the second from the Dalit community, after former Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, who held office in 2007, to occupy the highest judicial office in the country. Justice Gavai has also made it clear that he will not take any post-retirement assignments.
Chief Justice of India BhushanRamkrishnaGavai also said the interpretation of law or the Constitution has to be "pragmatic" and in a way that suits the needs of society.
Speaking at a felicitation organised for him by the Bombay High Court here, he also mentioned that recently he had received complaints about the rude behaviour of "some of the colleagues", and urged the judges to protect the reputation of the institution.
Citing a past Supreme Court judgement, Gavai said any law or the Constitution has to be interpreted in the context of "problems faced by the present generation." "The interpretation has to be pragmatic. It has to be one that suits the needs of society," he added.
Judges are expected to work as per their conscience, the oath of office and law, but "should never be perturbed once the matter is decided", he said.
A judge should cut off his mind from the matter and forget what happens to it thereafter, he added.
Talking about the appointment of judges, the CJI asserted that "at no cost the independence of judiciary shall be compromised".
While making appointments either to the Supreme court or high courts, the collegium ensures that merit is maintained while there is diversity and inclusiveness, Gavai said. He complimented the Bombay High Court - where he once practiced as a lawyer and served as a judge - for its work, and said he feels proud when people appreciate its judgements.
The CJI also said that lately he has been "receiving a lot of complaints about the rude behaviour of some of the colleagues." "Being a judge is not a 10 to 5 job, it's an opportunity to serve society. It is an opportunity to serve the nation," he stressed, and urged the judges to be "true to their oath and commitment." "Please do not do anything which brings disrepute to this august institution, whose reputation has been so laboriously built by the devotion and dedication of generations of lawyers and generations of judges," he said.

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