SC Is not CJI's court: CJI cites Justices Khanna & Lalit's efforts to ensure collective functioning
Nagpur: Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has reiterated that the Supreme Court does not function as the personal court of the Chief Justice, but as a collective institution guided by the wisdom and opinions of all its judges. Speaking at a felicitation event organized by the High Court Bar Association of Nagpur, his hometown, CJI Gavai emphasized the principle of judicial equality and collaborative decision-making within the apex court.
Echoing the stance of his predecessors, Justices UU Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna, CJI Gavai stated, “Like Justices Khanna and Lalit, I too am a firm believer in the principle that a CJI is only the ‘first among equals’ and not the ‘Master of the Supreme Court.’”
He noted that administrative decisions of the Supreme Court are not taken unilaterally by the Chief Justice but through full court deliberations. He cited the recent example of a full court meeting held after his elevation to the office, similar to the one convened by Justice Khanna. “There is a growing belief that the SC is a CJI's court and not the court of all the judges. But I must say, with a matter of pride, that Justices Lalit and Khanna and even I have attempted to dispel this notion,” he said.
CJI Gavai specifically referred to the removal of glass panels from Supreme Court corridors, a decision publicly clarified as one taken by the full court to address concerns raised by the bar and to restore the institution’s original grandeur.
Addressing the broader role of the judiciary, CJI Gavai asserted that judicial activism becomes necessary when other branches of the State, namely the legislature and executive, fail to protect citizens’ rights. However, he cautioned that such activism should not devolve into “judicial adventurism or judicial terrorism.”
“I always felt that judicial activism was necessary because whenever the executive or the legislature fails, the judiciary has to step in as a custodian of the rights of the citizens,” he said, while underscoring the importance of each constitutional wing functioning within its designated sphere.
Highlighting the ethos of judicial service, the CJI remarked, “Judgeship isn't a job but a service to society and the nation.” He added that he continues to see himself as a learner, drawing insights from peers and colleagues across the legal fraternity.
Commenting on the functioning of the Collegium system for judicial appointments, CJI Gavai said that efforts are underway to maintain transparency and uphold seniority and merit. “We are interacting with candidates, and we find that interactions work their way out,” he said, citing the elevation of Justice Atul Chandurkar to the Supreme Court as a recent example of merit-based appointment.
In a related remark at the same event, Justice Dipankar Datta stated that not all recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium are acted upon, often due to ‘external forces.’
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If you have a conscience, apologize to the people: R Ashoka slams Yathindra over Nalwadi comparison
Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka launched a scathing attack on MLC Dr. Yathindra, demanding that he retract his controversial statement comparing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the late Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Ashoka urged Yathindra to apologize to the people of Karnataka if he had even a shred of conscience and any respect for the Mysuru royal lineage.
In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Ashoka stated, “Comparing Siddaramaiah to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is nothing short of absurd. Where is Nalwadi, who was bestowed the title of ‘Rajarshi’ by Mahatma Gandhi himself, and where is Siddaramaiah, who has stooped to being a puppet in the hands of fake Gandhis for the sake of power?”
He continued his critique by contrasting the enduring legacy of Nalwadi, remembered fondly by Kannadigas for his people-centric development, with what he termed as Siddaramaiah’s failure to manage Karnataka’s economy, burdening every household with debt.
Ashoka highlighted several stark differences, while Nalwadi built Mysore University over a century ago, Siddaramaiah is shutting down nine universities due to lack of funds. Nalwadi famously sold his family’s gold to build the KRS dam, whereas Siddaramaiah is accused of grabbing 14 sites meant for the public. Nalwadi established Bhadravati Iron & Steel Plant, Sandalwood Soap Factory, and Mysore Paper Mills. In contrast, Ashoka claimed Siddaramaiah's governance drove away industries, investors, and entrepreneurs. Nalwadi pioneered reservations for the backward classes long before it became mainstream. Siddaramaiah, Ashoka alleged, is reducing social justice to a gimmick by sticking labels on doors in the name of surveys.
While acknowledging Yathindra’s emotional attachment to his father, Ashoka emphasized that comparing Siddaramaiah to a visionary like Nalwadi was “laughable, baseless, and a gross insult” to the late king.
In his concluding remarks, Ashoka slammed the government for ignoring farmers’ needs despite an early monsoon. He accused the administration of being caught up in internal power struggles and negligence, forcing farmers into despair. “This government will not be spared from the curse of the farmers,” he warned.
