'Justice’s Credibility Has To Be Maintained...' Justice BR Gavai Opens Up On Corruption In Judiciary

Justice BR Gavai officially took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14. His appointment is a historic moment. He is the first Buddhist and the second Dalit to become CJI. But more than just history, Gavai brings a strong agenda of clearing case backlogs and restoring public trust in the judiciary with him.

Justice BR Gavai On His Top Priorities

In a recent interview with Bench & Bar, Justice BR Gavai made his priorities clear. He doesn’t believe in making big promises at the start. He said, “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 per cent of that.”

However, he knows what needs to be done. Clearing pending cases is his top goal. He added, “I have decided that I would like to work on the pendency of cases, right from the bottom level to the Supreme Court.” He also plans to improve court infrastructure. He said High Courts already have good facilities, but lower courts still lack proper support.

On Corruption Allegations Against Justice Yashwant Varma

Justice Gavai takes charge at a time when the judiciary is under public scrutiny. Recent corruption allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma have raised serious concerns. Gavai addressed the issue head-on. He said, “The judiciary’s credibility has to be maintained. You will find black sheep everywhere... However, that number also cannot be tolerated because people go to court as a last resort. They have a lot of faith in us.”

He pointed out that judges usually begin with honesty, but some may change over time. He believes the system must stay alert to protect its integrity.

CJI Journey Of Justice BR Gavai

Justice Gavai’s journey to this position was full of hard work and dedication. He was born in Amravati, Maharashtra, on November 24, 1960. Though he once wanted to become an architect, he chose law to fulfil his father's dream. He started practising at the Bombay High Court in 1985. He became a permanent judge in 2005 and later joined the Supreme Court in 2019.

During his time at the top court, he sat on over 700 Benches and wrote nearly 300 judgments. He often gave relief to citizens in cases involving strict laws like the UAPA and PMLA. His judgments focused on protecting individual rights and ensuring fair procedures.

Justice Gavai will serve a six-month term as CJI before retiring in November 2025. His short tenure may not allow sweeping changes, but his focus is clear. He wants to improve court efficiency, strengthen infrastructure, and protect the judiciary’s reputation.