Judges No More Feudal Lords; Should Not Indulge In Extravagance: CJI Gavai

In a significant statement 17 days before retirement, CJI Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai said "Judges are no more feudal lords," and they should not be seen indulging in extravagance. CJI Gavai said a judge may be of a trial court, High Court or Supreme Court. All the institutions be it judiciary executive or legislature, they work under the constitution to serve the last citizen of the country to provide justice to society, and therefore, court buildings should also be in tune with democratic norms which the Constitution imbibes. CJI Gavai’s remarks came in his speech at Bandra, Mumbai, yesterday night after laying the foundation stone of the proposed new HC building complex. He was expressing disagreement with the information that it will be an extravagant

building and a reported proposal that one lift will be shared only by two judges. CJI Gavai retires on November 23. The CJI said the new Bombay High Court building should look like a “temple of justice” and “not a seven-star hotel”. CJI Gavai said there should be “no extravagance” at the new Bombay High Court building to be constructed at suburban Bandra (East) as “judges are no more feudal lords” and serve the citizens under the Constitution. The Chief Justice of India made these remarks in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar who were present on the dais WHAT CJI SAID “The building should not depict an imperial structure but be in tune with democratic values which our constitution imbibes. I read in some newspaper that the building will be somewhat extravagant I was told that one lift is provided to be shared by two judges..I would like to say that judges are no more feudal lords. The judge may be of a trial court, high court, or the supreme court. All our institutions, be it the judiciary, executive or legislature, they work under the constitution to serve the last citizen of the country to provide justice to society. while maintaining the grandeur ensure that it's not extravagant. It should look like a temple of justice, not a 7-star hotel".