Newly elected Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Pradeep Rai on Wednesday described Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as a “father figure” for the Bar and assured him that the newly elected SCBA Executive Committee would work under his guidance.

The remarks came after CJI Surya Kant congratulated Rai and the newly elected members of the SCBA Executive Committee.

Responding to the CJI, Rai said that the new SCBA leadership was committed to strengthening coordination and the relationship between the Bar and the Bench.

“Your Lordship is like a father figure... We will abide by your Lordship's guidance. Your Lordship always guides us,” Rai said.

The exchange took a lighter turn when Solicitor General Tushar Mehta intervened humorously, observing that the CJI was not old enough to be described as a “father figure.”

“Your Lordships are not so old that we can call [you a] father figure... Your Lordships are karta of the HUF [Hindu Undivided Family],” Mehta remarked.

“We all are coparceners!” the CJI responded.

CJI Surya Kant also assured the new SCBA leadership that the legitimate expectations and aspirations of the Bar would be respected. He welcomed the prospect of younger members of the Bar taking up responsibilities at the Supreme Court.

The SCBA election results were declared on Tuesday night.

Pradeep Rai was elected President, while Senior Advocate Rahul Kaushik was elected Vice President. Advocate Pragya Baghel was elected Secretary, Muneesh Dubey as Joint Secretary, and Reepak Kansal as Treasurer.

The new SCBA leadership is expected to focus on improving coordination between the Bar and the Bench and addressing issues concerning members of the Supreme Court Bar.