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The Gavai Family Dynasty: The ‘Humble’ Background Of Chief Justice BR Gavai

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Chief Justice of India BR Gavai claiming he comes from an underprivileged background and that it was possible that someone like him could become the CJI was due to Dr BR Ambedkar has gone viral on social media after his insensitive remarks during a hearing came to be known.

The Political Dynasty Behind The ‘Humble’ Chief Justice

Contrary to his viral statements about studying “in a municipal school situated in a slum area,” CJI Gavai comes from one of Maharashtra’s most influential political families. His father, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai (1929-2015), popularly known as “Dadasaheb,” was far from an ordinary citizen struggling against discrimination.

RS Gavai’s Political Empire:

The family’s political connections run deep, with CJI Gavai himself acknowledging that his father “was associated with Congress for more than 40 years” and his brother Rajendra Gavai “is still in politics and is associated with Congress”.

He said, “My father was associated… Though he was not a Congress member, but he was associated with Congress and very closely…, He was associated with Congress for more than 40 years. He had been a Member of Parliament, Member of Legislature, with support of the Congress and… And my brother is still in politics and is associated with Congress.” 

As regards his brother, in 2009, Rajendra Gavai’s faction had a pre-poll alliance with the Congress after a disagreement with Ramdas Athawale who aligned with the BJP.

This political dynasty provided the foundation for the family’s rise to prominence, contradicting Gavai’s narrative of constitutional bootstrapping.

The Mysterious Case Of Rajendra Gavai: A 740% Asset Surge

Perhaps the most explosive revelations concern CJI Gavai’s younger brother, Dr. Rajendra Ramkrishna Gavai, a politician, businessman, event organizer, and farmer whose asset declarations raise serious questions about corruption and money laundering.

Suspicious Asset Growth Pattern

According to MyNeta data analysis, Dr. Rajendra Gavai’s wealth exhibited extraordinary growth patterns that defy conventional income sources:

2009-2014 Period: Asset growth of more than 740%
2014-2019 Period: Additional 20% growth despite declared income of only ₹26 lakhs

Image Source: MyNeta

Declared Income vs. Asset Growth (2014-2019)

Image Source: MyNeta

The Worli Property Transaction

The most questionable transaction involves a flat in Mumbai’s Worli area, one of the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. According to electoral affidavits:

Image Source: MyNeta

The contradiction is glaring: how can a property purchased on 1 January 2014, for over ₹2 crores be classified as “inherited”?

Agricultural Holdings And Political Connections

Dr. Rajendra Gavai owns 1.57 hectares of agricultural land in Wagholi, an area that has seen massive real estate development in recent years. The Wagholi region has been controversial, with reports of land disputes and property development irregularities.

Property Details:

The 3,440% appreciation in land value since 1982, while not unusual for prime development areas, raises questions about the timing of purchases and potential inside information about development plans.

So that was about CJI Gavai’s brother Rajendra Gavai. Now let’s move on to the next family member.

Karishma Gavai: The SC/ST Act Controversy

The most damaging revelations concern CJI Gavai’s daughter, Karishma Gavai, whose actions represent a textbook case of legal privilege abuse and potential misuse of protective legislation.

Academic and Professional Profile
Karishma Gavai’s academic record appears impressive on surface:

However, her trajectory raises questions.

Father was a sitting judge of Bombay High Court during her law school years (2013-2015)

Grandfather was Governor of multiple states and MP.

Appointment to prestigious NLU Nagpur position at age 25, shortly after her father’s elevation to Supreme Court.

The Marriage And Legal Battles

The most controversial episode involves Karishma’s brief marriage and subsequent legal actions.

Karishma Gavai allegedly married Palash Darokar, while teaching at a law college. The union was short-lived, ending in a brief and turbulent marriage.

Alleged Misuse Of SC/ST Act And Dowry Laws

In July 2021, while her father was a sitting Supreme Court judge, Karishma Gavai allegedly filed multiple serious cases against her husband and his family including cases under

The Broader Pattern Of SC/ST Act Misuse

This case exemplifies the exact type of SC/ST Act alleged misuse that legal experts have criticized. Notably, CJI Gavai himself has acknowledged the problem of frivolous cases under these provisions. The irony is palpable: while CJI Gavai criticizes SC/ST Act misuse, his own daughter appears to have weaponized these very provisions in a personal dispute, potentially using her father’s judicial position as leverage.

CJI Gavai’s Nephew Picked By Collegium

Questions about nepotism surfaced publicly after media reported that the Supreme Court collegium recommended a nephew of CJI Gavai, Raj Damodar Wakode (also reported as Raj Wakode), among a batch of names for elevation to the Bombay High Court in August 2025; a selection some commentators said merited public explanation to avoid perceptions of favouritism.

While nepotism concerns arise, CJI Gavai reportedly recused himself from deliberations involving his relatives. Former Justice Abhay S. Oka stressed transparency, urging disclosure of the decision-making process and suggesting amendments to the memorandum of procedure to prevent such controversies.

Financial Irregularities and Undisclosed Wealth

CJI Gavai’s Asset Portfolio

According to Supreme Court disclosures, CJI Gavai’s declared assets include the below.

Real Estate

Financial Assets

While these declarations appear routine, they must be viewed in the context of the family’s overall wealth generation pattern and political connections.

Last Word

Justice B.R. Gavai’s controversial remarks on Hinduism have thrust him into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, putting his integrity and impartiality under the scanner. What began as outrage over his words has now widened into scrutiny of his personal and political background, with critics pointing to his family’s entrenched Ambedkarite legacy and long-standing political connections. By stepping into sensitive religious debates, he has invited a level of distrust that undermines the dignity of the Chief Justice’s office. From such a position of power, every word carries weight — and loose remarks only erode the credibility of those occupying that chair.

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