In his farewell address to the Supreme Court Bar Association, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai announced his intention to enter the fields of consultation and arbitration following his retirement, stating he will not accept any government post He emphasized his desire to spend more time in his native places of Darapur, Amravati, and Nagpur This decision aligns with a public pledge he and his colleagues made to uphold judicial integrity by refusing post-retirement government rolesA Career of Balance and Upholding Constitutional ValuesReflecting on his tenure, CJI Gavai described his judicial philosophy as a continuous effort to balance fundamental rights with directive principles. He cited the profound influence of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his father, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai, in shaping his constitutional perspective. He defended some of his key judgments, including those related to "bulldozer justice" and the concept of a "creamy layer" within Scheduled Castes for reservation benefits. On the issue of demolishing the homes of accused individuals, he firmly stated that the right to shelter under Article 21 extends to family members, even if a person is convicted.Regarding the "creamy layer," he explained the need to address disparities within Scheduled Castes to ensure true equality.Personal Reflections and FamilyDuring his speech, CJI Gavai fondly remembered his father, an associate of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He also mentioned his son, Shreyas Gavai, while discussing the "creamy layer" issue, posing a question about whether a tribal's son could equitably compete with his own son, who has had access to better opportunities He also shared a personal anecdote about his law clerk, who, despite being from the Scheduled Caste community and the son of an officer, chose not to avail of reservation benefits due to his privileged background.A Legacy of Dignity and AccessibilityMembers of the bar lauded CJI Gavai for restoring the dignity of the legal profession and for his accessibility. Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh highlighted that CJI Gavai always believed the bar and the bench were two sides of the same coin. His tenure was marked by a commitment to justice, a deep-rooted "Indianness" in his jurisprudence, and a focus on issues directly impacting the people. As he concluded his 40-year career, CJI Gavai remarked that he joined the profession as a "student of law" and retires as a "student of justice.
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