CJI's Tenure Has No Direct Connection With Efficiency On Administration Of Justice: CJI Gavai

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has said tenure of a CJI does not have a direct relationship with efficiency on administration of justice. The CJI said Justices R M Lodha, U U Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna who had short tenures of 6 months, two and a half months and 6 months respectively left a lasting imprint vis-à-vis contribution to administration of justice and to the institution of judiciary.The Chief Justice said he is mindful that he too has just a 6-month tenure and on his part he is trying to utilise every moment that he has for the betterment of administration of justice, for bringing in improvement in judicial system and also infrastructure, ensuring appointments to the High Courts are taken to logical end expeditiously.

CJI Gavai made these comments while speaking at the felicitation organised by Friday Group, an academic and legal education initiative for lawyers at the Supreme Court organised by SC advocate Seshagiri Rao, yesterday.CJI Gavai was reacting to the comment of Senior advocate and former Kerala High Court Judge R. Basant who while praising the good work done by CJI Gavai so far said he wished Justice Gavai had a longer tenure at the helm of judiciary and suggested that there should be a fixed tenure for Chief Justices.“I agree to disagree with Justice Basant ..i don’t think that the tenure of a CJI has a direct relationship wjth efficiency on administration of justice we have had one of the best Chief Justice like Justice Lodha ..CJI for 6 months Justice Lalit’s tenure was for two and half months and justice Sanjiv Khanna who also put his imprint in his own way. They are known for their contribution to the institution of justice, administration of justice. On my part I am trying to utilise every moment that I have for the betterment of administration of justice, for bringing in improvement in judicial system and also infrastructure ensuring appointments to the High Courts are taken to logical end expeditiously”, said Chief Justice Gavai.Justice Gavai was sworn in as Chief Justice Of India on May 14, 2025. He retires on November 23, 2025

'Bulldozer Judgment Gave Immense Satisfaction'

Referring to his Supreme Court stint, CJI Gavai said "It has been a very enriching experience for me for the past more than 6 yrs I studied many laws which i wouldn’t have touched when I was a Bombay High Court judge."CJI Gavai specially appreciated his association, sharing of dais with senior SC advocates elevated to the Supreme Court Bench and said he cherished it.“I got opportunity with sit with several judges who were from the Bar of Supreme Court L Nageswara Rao, Rohimnton Nariman, P Narasimha ..then of course Justice Viswanathan ( who was by his side at the event ) for 6 months .one of the judgments which would give immense satisfaction to both of us (CJI Gavai and Justice Vishwanathan) is the bulldozer judgment what was at the heart of the judgment was human problems.. families being harassed just because any one of member ether a criminal or alleged criminal although credit is given to me I must share that equal credit must go to Justice Vishwanathan”

CJI Is An Allrounder: Justice Viswanathan

“Chief Justice comes from a very humble background...beginning ..he made it to the top through sheer hard work, determination ..July to December 2024..for six months I shared Bench with Lordship and I am privy to his calibre," said Justice Viswanathan.“Justice Gavai is an all-rounder be it Constitutional matters, Criminal matters, Service, Environment ..he would straight away get to the crux as to what is to be decided…also i must say he is a captain who commands respect of dressing room as far as administrative decisions in Supreme Court are concerned”, said Justice Viswanathan. The "Friday Group" is an academic and legal education initiative for lawyers at the Supreme Court of India, where senior lawyers and judges deliver well-researched lectures on various legal topics. Organized by Supreme Court advocate G. Seshagiri Rao, it serves as a continuous learning platform, providing valuable knowledge and fostering discussion among legal professionals. The group's activities are documented and shared on its YouTube channel.