Regret I Could Not Get A Woman Judge Appointed To SC In My Tenure As Chief Justice: Outgoing CJI Gavai

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Delhi: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, whose last working day is today, has said that he “has a regret” that collegium headed by him could not recommend a single woman judge to the Supreme Court during his six-month tenure at the helm of the Indian judiciary.CJI Gavai, however, said he is happy that collegium led by him could get 16 women judges, including some senior lady lawyers practising in Supreme Court, appointed as judges of various High CourtsCJI Gavai will retire on November 23.

“I have a regret that I could not get a woman member to the Supreme Court …but in so far as High Courts are concerned we had recommended 16 women judges ..among them are women lawyers of Supreme Court.So my collegium always believed in wide representative to women members”, CJI Gavai said at a farewell hosted by women lawyers of the Supreme Court at the Women’s Bar Room.At present Justice B V Nagarathna is the only woman judge serving in the Supreme Court of India. Justice Nagarathna is set to make history by becoming the first woman Chief Justice of India in September 2027. But her tenure lasts only 36 days. This acute gender imbalance has been a subject of concern and discussion in legal circles with woman SC lawyers and even Supreme Court Bar Association raising the issue several times.The farewell event at Women’s Bar Room was organized by Senior Advocate Ms. Mahalakshmi Pavani. Advocate Ms. Prernaa Singh conducted the proceedings as Master of Ceremonies.The ceremony witnessed an esteemed gathering, with a total of seventeen Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court, Hon’ble CJI Justice Gavai including Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice J.K. Maheshwari, Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Justice M.M. Sundresh, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, , Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Justice Rajesh Bindal, Justice K.V. Viswanathan, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, Justice Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale, Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, , Justice Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria, Justice Atul Sharachchandra Chandurkar and Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi gracing the occasion.In her speech, Advocate Pavani highlighted the profound impact of Hon’ble CJI Justice Gavai’s tenure, his steadfast commitment to constitutional values, and his exemplary leadership of the judiciary. She also expressed the collective admiration of the Women’s Bar for his humility, accessibility, and the dignified manner in which he steered the institution.Ms. Pavani further acknowledged the forthcoming leadership of Hon’ble Justice Surya Kant, expressing confidence that his vision and judicial acumen will continue to guide the Supreme Court with wisdom and integrity. Her address set the tone for an afternoon filled with respect, gratitude, and celebration.