New Delhi | June 30, 2025
In a bold and clarifying statement reflecting his judicial philosophy, Chief Justice of India, speaking through an official statement alongside Justices U.U. Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna, emphasized the collective and democratic nature of decision-making in the Supreme Court of India, explicitly countering the perception that it is “the Chief Justice’s Court.”
CJI B.R. Gavai, speaking at a recent public legal event, reiterated this principle, stating:
“The Supreme Court is not a one-man institution. It is not the CJI’s court. It is a constitutional court guided by collective wisdom.”
This comes amid rising public scrutiny and media narratives questioning the centralization of power in the hands of the Chief Justice. Justice Gavai’s remarks are particularly timely, considering his recent elevation as the 50th Chief Justice of India and the broader conversation around judicial independence and transparency.
Key Highlights from Justice Gavai’s Statement:
• Reaffirmation of Collegiality: Gavai underlined that decisions on benches, case listings, and sensitive matters are not made unilaterally. He credited his predecessors like Justice U.U. Lalit for setting a transparent precedent in administrative functions.
• Transparency and Reform: The Chief Justice spoke of internal reforms aimed at making the Supreme Court Registry and listing mechanisms more accountable and tech-driven, reducing discretionary influence.
• Support from Peers: Justice Sanjiv Khanna and former CJI U.U. Lalit echoed similar sentiments in recent lectures, where they emphasized strengthening institutional structures over individual discretion.
Context: Why This Matters
The assertion comes against a backdrop of previous debates—both within the legal fraternity and the public sphere—about whether the Chief Justice holds disproportionate control over bench composition and case allocations. Notably, in Shanti Bhushan v. Union of India (2018), the issue of CJI’s administrative supremacy was brought before the Court itself.
Although the Court had reaffirmed the CJI as the “Master of the Roster,” recent CJIs including Chandrachud, Lalit, and now Gavai have sought to neutralize the narrative of hierarchy and return focus to institutional integrity.
The Bigger Picture
In light of major cases involving constitutional interpretation, electoral reforms, and civil liberties, Justice Gavai’s statement serves as a reaffirmation of democratic processes within the judiciary. It also signals an era of greater openness and decentralization in the functioning of India’s highest court.
This evolution is not merely symbolic; it reflects a deeper transformation in how judicial power is exercised and perceived in the world’s largest democracy.
