Mumbai, May 18: In a notable expression of concern over protocol lapses, Chief Justice of India B R Gavai voiced his disappointment on Sunday regarding the absence of senior state officials during his first official visit to Maharashtra after assuming the highest judicial post in the country.
Justice Gavai, who was sworn in as the 54th Chief Justice of India on May 14, arrived in Mumbai to attend a felicitation ceremony organized in his honour by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa. However, the ceremonial warmth was somewhat overshadowed by what the CJI described as a significant breach of protocol.
Speaking at the event, CJI Gavai pointed out that neither the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, nor the Director General of Police (DGP), nor the Mumbai Police Commissioner were present to formally receive him upon his arrival in the state. This, he said, was a disappointing deviation from established norms, especially considering the nature and importance of his visit.
Though the Chief Justice was careful to state that he did not wish to dwell on what some might consider a “minor issue,” he nonetheless underlined the importance of mutual respect among the three fundamental pillars of democracy — the judiciary, the executive, and the legislature.
“All three pillars of democracy are equal,” Justice Gavai remarked. “They must not only respect each other’s roles but also uphold the dignity of each institution through reciprocal gestures of courtesy and acknowledgment.”
The statement has drawn attention to the need for maintaining institutional decorum and the protocols traditionally followed during high-level visits, especially those involving the judiciary’s top functionary.
The Bar Council’s felicitation event, held in Mumbai, marked an important moment of pride for the state as Justice Gavai hails from Maharashtra and is the first Buddhist Chief Justice of India from the state. While the legal fraternity and members of the bar turned up in large numbers to honour him, the absence of top administrative officials has now triggered a conversation on the appropriate observance of protocol and inter-institutional respect.
