Justice Gavai Takes Charge as CJI: A Six-Month Mission Rooted in Realism( interview)

Justice Gavai Takes Oath as CJI: A Six-Month Tenure Rooted in Justice and Reform

In a candid conversation with Bar & Bench's Pallavi Saluja, Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud Gavai shared his vision and concerns just a day before he took oath as the 51st Chief Justice of India. Known for his unwavering commitment to social and economic justice, Justice Gavai humbly stated, "I have always advocated social and economic justice," underscoring the values that have shaped his judicial journey.

As he stepped into the apex judicial role for a brief but crucial six-month tenure, Justice Gavai remained realistic yet hopeful. He refrained from making lofty promises but instead chose to focus on concrete, achievable reforms.

Tackling Case Pendency: The Core Mission

At the heart of his vision lies the long-standing issue of case pendency in Indian courts — a challenge that continues to burden litigants and slow the wheels of justice.

"I have decided that I would like to work on the pendency of cases, right from the bottom level to the Supreme Court," he said, with a sense of urgency and responsibility. Recognizing that systemic backlog affects public trust and access to timely justice, the CJI-designate aims to bring structural improvements to reduce delays.

Improving Judicial Infrastructure

While he acknowledged that the infrastructure in High Courts has seen significant improvement over the years, Justice Gavai was quick to point out that subordinate courts — where the majority of the Indian population seeks justice — still lag behind.

"Infrastructure is a big problem for lower courts," he noted, expressing concern for the conditions under which many district judges and magistrates function. For him, addressing these grassroots issues is not just about buildings and technology, but about ensuring dignity and efficiency in judicial processes.

A Tenure of Measured Optimism

With only six months in office, Justice Gavai understands the limitations of time. "I don't want to make any promises in the beginning. I've seen so many people speaking of so many things in the beginning, and at the end, they don't accomplish 50%," he said with candor, reflecting both humility and a deep awareness of the system's inertia.

Instead of grand declarations, he hopes to focus on realistic, incremental changes that can leave a lasting impact. Whether it's ensuring transparency in judicial appointments, combating corruption within the system, or strengthening court infrastructure — Justice Gavai's tenure may be short, but it carries the promise of sincerity and meaningful intent.