Legal fraternity bids emotional adieu to the 'People's Judge'
New Delhi: The corridors of the Supreme Court of India resonated with praise and nostalgia this week as the legal fraternity prepared to bid farewell to the 52nd Chief Justice of India. CJI BR Gavai, who is set to demit office on November 23 after a tenure of just over six months, leaves behind a legacy defined not just by legal acumen, but by extraordinary humility.
As the ceremonial bench presided over proceedings, senior advocates and top law officers took turns to highlight the impact of a man many have affectionately termed the "People's Judge."
A Judge for the Common Man
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered a stirring tribute, emphasizing that despite holding one of the most powerful judicial positions in the world, Justice Gavai never lost his grounded nature. Mehta described the CJI’s integrity, industry, and intellect as "unparalleled."
"Justice Gavai is a humane individual... He has been a judge of a common man," Mehta remarked, noting that the CJI's smiling face would be deeply missed on the bench.
This sentiment was echoed by Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, who pointed out the outgoing Chief Justice's sensitivity to the struggles of the average citizen. Luthra praised CJI Gavai for his "elephantine memory"—a trait that extended beyond complex case laws to include minor trivia and a genuine human connection. Luthra expressed that the institution needs more judges who, like Gavai, stand firmly for the liberty and rights of the common individual.
Grace Under Fire
The tenure of CJI BR Gavai was not without its dramatic moments. The legal community recalled the shocking incident where a shoe was hurled in the courtroom. However, it was the Chief Justice's reaction that defined his character. Rather than pressing charges or allowing the event to distract him, he chose forgiveness, insisting the event be treated as a "forgotten chapter."
Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya highlighted this specific quality of grace. He noted that the CJI brought a sense of "pleasantness and sanity" to the courtroom, soothing tempers and elevating the quality of legal dialogue even during high-stakes cases.
'Alankar' of the Judiciary
Attorney General R Venkataramani provided a poetic touch to the farewell, explaining the etymology of the name 'Bhushan' (from the CJI’s full name). He described it as meaning 'Alankar' or adornment, stating that Justice Gavai had truly been an ornament to his family and the legal institutions he served.
The blurring of lines between the Bar and the Bench was another key theme of the farewell. Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, thanked the CJI for treating lawyers as equals—"different sides of the same coin"—rather than creating a hierarchy.
A Legacy of Constitutional Guardianship
Justice Gavai’s career trajectory is a testament to his dedication. Elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019 and appointed CJI in May 2025, he has authored approximately 300 judgments. His work has covered critical areas, from upholding the rule of law to safeguarding human rights.
Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave perhaps summed it up best: whenever a citizen was pitted against the might of the State, Justice Gavai instinctively stood on the side of the citizen to correct the wrongs.
As CJI BR Gavai steps down, he leaves the Supreme Court having balanced the scales of justice with a rare mix of intellect and empathy.
