CJI Gavai assures ‘complete transparency' in the collegium system for appointments
Speaking at a felicitation event hosted by the Bombay Bar Association in his honour, CJI Gavai remarked, 'We will adopt a procedure of complete transparency. Merit will never be compromised. We will have representatives from all sections of society.'
CJI Gavai, who took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May, noted that efforts to increase transparency within the collegium had already been under way during the tenure of his predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna. He also addressed recent concerns raised publicly by Justice Dipankar Datta about alleged interference in the collegium's functioning, stating that all names recommended would be duly followed up and considered fairly.
Reflecting on his own elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019, CJI Gavai revealed that not all members of the collegium were initially in support. 'One of the collegium judges had some reservations, thinking my elevation might lead to unrest among senior members of the Mumbai Bar,' he said. 'But several senior lawyers met the judge in Delhi and clarified the matter.'
He expressed gratitude to the Bombay Bar Association, saying, 'I will always remain indebted. My elevation to the Supreme Court, and now as Chief Justice of India, would not have been possible without the Bar's support.'
The Chief Justice also clarified that the Supreme Court should not be viewed as being centred around one individual. 'The Supreme Court is not a CJI-centric court. The Chief Justice is only the first among equals,' he said.
Deliberately avoiding public statements or interviews at the time of assuming office, CJI Gavai said he preferred to let his actions speak. 'Rather than laying out a roadmap, I chose not to make promises. Let my work speak for itself when I retire six months from now,' he added.
On the reasons for the high pendency in Bombay High Court, CJI Gavai said, 'Insofar as my own High Court is concerned, I can assure that the names, whatever are recommended, we will try to follow it up and as soon as possible, the Bombay HC starts functioning at a full strength so that at least the issue of pendency is resolved at least to some extent.'
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