In a significant address on Saturday, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai strongly urged judges and judicial officers across the nation to exercise their profound authority with the utmost humility and responsibility. This call came amid increasing reports of misconduct within the judiciary.
Speaking at the 10th All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal in New Delhi, the Chief Justice highlighted a recent incident where a High Court judge’s severe reprimand caused a young lawyer to lose consciousness in court.
Emphasizing the collaborative nature of justice, he stated that judges and lawyers are akin to ‘two wheels of the golden chariot of justice,’ neither superior nor inferior to the other. He stressed that without mutual respect and cooperation, the administration of justice, which serves the citizens, cannot function effectively.
Chief Justice Gavai also noted a pervasive discontent within the Bar due to the behavior of some judges, judicial officers, and even quasi-judicial officers towards senior lawyers.
He reiterated that those entrusted with judicial and quasi-judicial roles hold immense power, which necessitates a profound sense of humility and responsibility in its exercise.
Time for Introspection in Tribunals
The Chief Justice also urged introspection among non-judicial members of tribunals. He observed that some, coming from administrative backgrounds, tend to avoid delivering judgments against the government. He called upon them to reflect on this tendency, underlining the importance of impartiality.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, also present at the conference, acknowledged the importance of such gatherings. He remarked that in-depth discussions on digitizing judicial processes, innovating the administrative justice system, and ensuring transparent and accessible justice are crucial steps toward sectoral reforms.
The conference saw participation from a diverse group of legal luminaries, including Minister of State (Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions) Jitendra Singh, Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, and numerous judges and lawyers from the Supreme Court, High Courts, State Administrative Tribunals, and the GST Tribunal.