'Dr Ambedkar was a Staunch Supporter': Ex-CJI Gavai Roots for UCC - Exclusive

Former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said he personally supports the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code, noting that a version of it already exists in Goa. "On a personal view, I am for the UCC. As a matter of fact, in India itself, in the state of Goa, we have a common civil code for the citizens residing in Goa. Dr Ambedkar was a staunch supporter of a common civil code," he told Times Now in an exclusive interview. Gavai, who demitted office last week as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, leaves behind a tenure marked by key rulings, including staying provisions of the Waqf law, striking down the tribunal reforms statute and permitting post-facto environmental clearances.Gavai defended the Supreme Court’s recent judgment curbing the use

of bulldozers by state authorities to demolish the homes of accused persons, calling it a violation of fundamental rights."The judgement in bulldozer justice or the demolition justice, as commonly known, particularly involved demolition of the houses, the structures of the persons who are either accused or convicted in a particular crime. We have held that the right to shelter is one of the fundamental rights as developed by the constitutional jurisprudence. And merely because somebody is an accused, his family cannot be penalised for that, because the house is occupied by his family, his sons, daughters, wife, parents. And inflicting such a punishment on a person, I think, the executive does not have the power. The power to judge is with the judiciary," he said. "And the executive cannot be a judge in their own cause. So, that was one of the basic factors that weighed with us while delivering the said judgement," the ex-CJI added.He added that states must adhere to the verdict, saying, "They are bound to pay, because in the judgement itself, we have said that if any of the officers is found violative of the actions issued, he will be held personally guilty for committing contempt of the court. And they would also be responsible to reconstruct the house. And the government will have to recover the amount from such officers. And we have also given liberty to the citizens that wherever there is a violation, they can approach the judicial high courts."Asked why he declined to act against lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who threw a shoe at the bench, Gavai said the decision depended on personal judgement.“It differs from person's perception. Each person may react to a similar situation in a different manner. At that point of time, I did not find that it was necessary to take up the issue further.”Watch the full interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_G9LkaWF4E

Justice Gavai also voiced concern about the misuse of oral observations in the age of social media and live-streamed proceedings."We have largely experienced that the oral observations are misused and a totally different picture is given in the social media. Whatever is not stated is thought to be given that colour. And I do feel that there needs to be some control on the basis of social media," he said.