NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India (CJI)-designate Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who will take oath as the 52nd CJI on May 14, said the Supreme Court cannot remain aloof when the country is in danger, referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian media reported.
“We are part of the country,” he added.
“When we heard about the news (incident), we were stunned. I convened a full court after taking permission from the Chief Justice (Justice Sanjiv Khanna) since he was not in the country. We immediately announced a two-minute silence across the Supreme Court to pay homage to the victims of the attack,” said the CJI-designate, while talking to a group of reporters in an informal interaction.
Commenting on the current India-Pakistan tensions, he said, no one benefits from war, ceasefire is good. He gave examples of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Gaza. “It is devastating. Sorry to hear all these,” Justice Gavai said.
Speaking on Russia versus Ukraine war, he said, over 50,000 have died. Gaza has also seen many more casualties. “As a citizen of this country, everybody is concerned. Whatever happens, happens to everyone,” he said.
Justice Gavai described the ceasefire as good but said that some attack took place after it. “But by 12 tomorrow we will know more..,” he added.
Justice Gavai, who is slated to retire in November 23 this year, clarified that he will not take any post-retirement assignments.
On the remarks of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey against the Supreme Court and CJI, Justice Gavai said, “What is supreme is already known. It’s the Constitution that is supreme.”
Saying that he will be the first Buddhist CJI, he said, “It’s, however, a coincidence that I am taking oath a day after Buddha Purnima,”.
The President of India had on April 29 appointed Justice Gavai as the next CJI with effect from May 14, 2025. He will be the 52nd CJI following the retirement of the incumbent CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna on May 13.
When Justice Gavai will take charge as 52nd CJI, he would also be the second CJI belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community after Justice K G Balakrishnan, who was elevated to the country’s top judicial post in 2007 and retired n 2010.
Justice Gavai has authored around 300 judgments, including Constitution Bench, on various issues upholding the rule of law and equality and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights and legal rights of citizens.
On April 16, the CJI Khanna wrote a letter to the Centre, and nominated the second senior-most judge Justice Gavai as his successor.
