Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai recently expressed his satisfaction at having delivered a key judgment against “bulldozer justice,” highlighting the importance of protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.
Speaking at the 269th Friday Group, an academic forum of Supreme Court advocates, CJI Gavai recalled his time serving on the bench with Justice KV Viswanathan for approximately six months. During this period, the bench passed several directions curbing the executive trend of arbitrarily demolishing properties of accused or convicted individuals. Those responsible for such actions were held accountable. The bench emphasized that in a civilised society governed by the rule of law, bulldozer justice is unacceptable.
Recollecting the judgment, CJI Gavai said: “One of the judgments, I think, which gave immense satisfaction to both of us was the bulldozer judgment. What was at the heart of the judgment was the human problems and the problems faced by human beings. The family being harassed only because they were part of the family of one of the members was either a criminal or an alleged criminal.”
He credited Justice Viswanathan for his role in authoring the judgment, stating: “Though largely the credit has been given to me, but I must share that the equal credit in authoring the judgment should go to Justice Viswanathan.”
CJI Gavai further commented on the tenure of Chief Justices, asserting that it does not determine the efficiency of judicial administration. “I don’t think the tenure of the Chief Justice has a direct relationship with the efficiency of the administration of the justice. We have had the best of the chief justices like Justice Lalit for 2 and a half months and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who proved their imprint and they are known for their contribution in the distribution and administration of justice,” he said.
Reflecting on his own tenure, CJI Gavai stated that he has endeavored to improve judicial infrastructure and the administration of justice across the country. “I have tried every moment for the betterment of the administration of justice and for bringing in improvement in the judicial infrastructure throughout the country and ensuring that the appointments to the high courts are taken to the logical end with expedition…In the last one or two years, I think we have given or trying to give good representation to the young lawyers who are practising in the Supreme Court. We are all sure that the rich experience that they gather in the Supreme Court really helps in bringing out the efficiency or enhancing the efficiency at the high court level,” CJI Gavai concluded.
CJI BR Gavai is set to retire in November after nearly six months as the Chief Justice of India.
(With inputs from LiveLaw)
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