‘Fundamental duty of judiciary, executive to reach out to last citizen who needs justice': CJI B R Gavai

Indian Express

2 days ago

CHIEF JUSTICE of India (CJI) Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai on Saturday said that whether it is the judiciary or the executive, 'it is our fundamental duty to reach out to the last citizen of this country who needs justice.'
CJI Gavai was speaking at an event in Prayagraj.
He inaugurated the newly constructed advocate chambers and multilevel parking building on the Allahabad High Court premises. Supreme Court judges Justice Suryakant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice J K Maheshwari, Justice Pankaj Mittal, Justice Manoj Mishra, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Justice Arun Bhansali, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay were among those present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal were also present at the event.
Justice Gavai highlighted that over the 75 years since the Constitution was adopted, the judiciary and executive have enacted numerous laws that have significantly advanced social and economic equality in India. 'Land has been taken from landlords and transferred to the people. Farmers have become the rightful owners of their land. Many such laws have empowered the working and labour classes of the country.'
Thanking Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Justice acknowledged the funding provided for this expansive facility dedicated to lawyers. He noted that the inauguration coincides with the birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, a figure who championed social justice in India, calling it a 'proud moment'.
Justice Gavai recalled Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's presentation of the final draft of the Constitution to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, describing Ambedkar's speech as a 'guiding beacon for the nation.' He emphasized Ambedkar's warning that true democracy could not be established without eliminating social and economic inequality.
'Today, after 75 years, our executive and judiciary have made significant contributions toward achieving social and economic equality across India,' he said.
'Our Constitution has firmly propelled the country toward progress during these 75 years. When the Constitution was drafted, critics said it was too federal. Baba Saheb responded that it is a Constitution designed to keep India united and strong, both in normal times and emergencies,' the CJI remarked.
He added, 'Looking at the situation in our neighbouring countries today… India not only continues to progress after 75 years but also remains strong and united during times of crisis. The credit for this should be given to the Constitution.'
Justice Gavai said, 'I am pleased that after becoming the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, my first official programme is here, in the sacred land of Prayagraj. We have always shared a close connection with Prayagraj.'
He mentioned that Union Minister Meghwal described Yogi Adityanath as the 'most powerful and hardworking Chief Minister in the country.' 'I would like to add that the land of Allahabad belongs to powerful people,' he said. He highlighted Prayagraj's distinguished contribution to the history of Uttar Pradesh, noting that this land's name is inscribed in golden letters in the field of law. Before Independence, some of India's finest lawyers hailed from here, including Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Tej Bahadur Sapru and many others. Similarly, Prayagraj's literary heritage is rich with figures such as Mahadevi Verma, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitranandan Pant, Suryakant Tripathi Nirala and Subhadra Kumari Chauhan. The entire nation also honours the sacrifice of Chandrashekhar Azad in India's Independence struggle.
He congratulated the Allahabad High Court, its Chief Justice, all the judges and the members of the Bar Association, saying, 'You now have a magnificent building that will make Bar Associations across the country envious.' He added, 'I travel extensively across India and abroad but I have not seen such a large facility with so many amenities for advocates anywhere else in the world.'
He said the government and the High Court have ensured care not only for judges and lawyers but also for the litigants. 'We have been informed that a large construction will take place on the adjacent plot, providing excellent facilities for the litigants who visit there. Special amenities will be available for all, including persons with disabilities and women.'
He also took the opportunity to commend the High Court judges who 'sacrificed their bungalows for this building,' calling it 'a unique example of cooperation between the bar and the bench.' He emphasised, 'Unless the bar and bench work together, the chariot of justice cannot move forward.'
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address at the ceremony, said, 'In the rule of law, the litigant is as important as the bar and bench.'
Adityanath said that when his government took office, ten districts in UP did not have district courts. 'At times, either the Chief Justice or we did not approve the proposed designs. Eventually, we instructed the executing agencies to create a model that could serve as a standard. Along with integrated court complexes, provisions for parking and advocate chambers were included. Of the proposals we submitted, approvals have been received for seven districts from here, and Rs 1,700 crore has been released for those.'
He highlighted that the Advocate Fund amount has been increased from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, and the age limit raised from 60 to 70 years. Additionally, a separate corpus fund of Rs 500 crore has been established. In case of an accident involving an advocate, the trustee committee will utilise this fund to support the affected family. New advocates are also receiving assistance for journals, magazines, and books during their first three years.
The CM said that the infrastructure would accelerate the pace of justice delivery and add a new dimension to progress.