Judges Urged to Uphold Integrity
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Saturday stressed that even the misconduct of a few judges can undermine the reputation of the entire judiciary. Speaking at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) conference, he reminded the judiciary to act with humility, fairness, and responsibility.
“Instances are reported in the bar, in newspapers, or even circulate online because of the actions of a single judge. Such incidents affect the institution as a whole,” CJI Gavai said. He added that judges must remain in love with justice and freedom, not with money.
The CJI cited an example of a recent controversy where a young lawyer fainted in a Bombay High Court courtroom after being reprimanded. Without naming individuals, he stressed that judges and lawyers must work as equals. “Judges and lawyers are like two wings of the golden bird of justice. Neither is superior or inferior,” he said.
Love for Justice, Not Money
Emphasizing values, CJI Gavai urged judges to dedicate themselves to justice rather than personal gain. “I hope leaders in the judiciary are not in love with money, but in love with justice and with the great cause of freedom,” he said.
He further reminded judges that their lives, both inside and outside the court, must reflect fairness and responsibility. Citizens, he noted, come before courts with trust and expectation. Therefore, every judgment must be grounded in impartiality.
“Our judgments should never be coloured by anything other than responsibility and fairness,” he said, underscoring the judiciary’s role in maintaining public confidence.
CAT’s Role in Expanding Justice
Highlighting the role of tribunals, CJI Gavai reflected on the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, which created CAT to relieve the burden of regular courts. He praised its contribution in resolving service-related disputes effectively.
“Over the last four decades, CAT has made sustained efforts in ensuring improved access to justice,” he said. The CJI cited data from the Law Commission of India’s 272nd Report, which noted that CAT achieved a disposal rate of nearly 94%. Between 2016 and 2019, the tribunal maintained an impressive 91% disposal rate.
According to CAT’s official website, it has disposed of nearly four lakh out of six lakh cases filed since inception. CJI Gavai said these numbers reflected discipline, dedication, and the tribunal’s credibility.
Beyond Statistics: Trust and Transparency
Despite these achievements, CJI Gavai stressed that success should not be measured by statistics alone. He said values such as transparency, responsibility, and public trust were equally critical for the judiciary.
He also flagged the rising backlog of cases before CAT, urging for collective efforts to improve disposal rates while upholding fairness. “Numbers matter, but what matters more is the faith people have in our system,” he observed.
The CJI reiterated that both judges and lawyers must work together for justice to prevail. Without cooperation, he warned, the system of justice, which has survived for centuries in India, cannot function effectively.