In a candid conversation with News24, former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai reflected on key issues that shaped his time in the Supreme Court ranging from bulldozer actions to judicial independence and the rising impact of social media on the court’s image. Gavai, who recently retired as the country’s top judge, said life after retirement is peaceful but the challenges facing the judiciary continue to trouble him.
‘Bulldozer justice has no place in India,’: B.R. Gavai
One of the decisions closest to his heart, he said, was the judgment stopping the use of bulldozers as a tool of instant punishment. “India runs on the rule of law. The government cannot be judge, jury, and executioner,” he said, recalling the strong message the Supreme Court delivered.
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On the question of pressure from the government, Gavai firmly rejected the idea. “There is no pressure. My decisions speak for themselves. I have ruled in favor of the opposition as well,” he said, pointing to the case where he restored the membership of an opposition MP.
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Gavai also addressed the long-debated issue of judicial appointments. He said the government does not interfere in the selection of judges, but the collegium does consider government concerns. He confirmed that appointments like Justice Pancholi’s were cleared by majority vote despite some dissent within the collegium.
Speaking on delays in cases involving judges themselves, such as the matter of Justice Yashwant Varma, Gavai said the Supreme Court followed constitutional procedure and that the government is free to change it, provided judicial independence remains protected.
He expressed concern about growing disrespect toward courts on social media, calling online trolling of judges “deeply unfortunate.”