'Immense Satisfaction': CJI Gavai On SC's Bulldozer Verdict, Says It Dealt With 'Human Problems'

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has said his judgement on “bulldozer action” gave him “immense satisfaction” as it dealt with “human problems”.

On November 13, 2024, a  Supreme Court bench of Justices Gavai and KV Viswanathan had equated “bulldozer justice” with a lawless state of affairs where might was right and laid down pan-India guidelines.

“One of the judgments, I think, which gave immense satisfaction to both of us was the bulldozer judgment. What was at the heart of the judgment was the human problems and the problems faced by human beings. The family being harassed only because they were part of the family of one of the members was either a criminal or an alleged criminal,” CJI Gavai said during a felicitation event organised by an academic

group of SC advocates on September 19.

He said though he was largely credited with the verdict, equal credit should go to Justice Viswanathan, with whom he had shared the bench for approximately six months.

Chief Justice Gavai further said the tenure of the post has no bearing on the administration of justice. He said India has had the best of chief justices – Justice UU Lalit for two and a half months and Justice Sanjiv Khanna – who are known for their contribution to “distribution and administration of justice”. 

“I don’t think the tenure of the Chief Justice has a direct relationship with the efficiency of the administration of the justice. We have had the best of the chief justices like Justice Lalit for two and a half months and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who proved their imprint and they are known for their contribution to the distribution and administration of justice,” he said.

He said he did his best for the betterment of justice and to bring improvements in the infrastructure of the judiciary throughout the country.

“I have tried every moment for the betterment of the administration of justice and for bringing in improvement in the judicial infrastructure throughout the country and ensuring that the appointments to the high courts are taken to the logical end with expedition,” he said.

According to the Chief Justice, the endeavour in the last couple of years was to give “good representation” to young lawyers practising in the Supreme Court.

“We are all sure that the rich experience that they gather in the Supreme Court really helps in bringing out the efficiency or enhancing the efficiency at the high court level,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)