CJI BR Gavai urges judges to be courteous; says judgeship an opportunity to serve

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Saturday acknowledged that there have been concerns raised over rude conduct by judges in courtrooms, while speaking at a felicitation function organized by the Bombay High Court.

Referring to the increasing number of complaints he received regarding the behaviour of judges, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) said,

“Lately, I have received a lot of complaints with regard to the rude behaviour from some of the colleagues.”

He went on to comment that judgeship is not a routine job but a serious responsibility,

“I always believed that an opportunity to serve as a judge is not a ten-to-five job. It's an opportunity to serve the society. It is an opportunity to serve the nation.”

Quoting former CJI and Bombay High Court judge RM Lodha, CJI Gavai added,

“Whether to believe in God or not is one’s personal choice. He said that if God has chosen very few of you to serve the society, to serve the nation (as a judge); then what is required is a commitment, what is required is a dedication to the cause of justice.”

Stressing the need for a respectful courtroom environment, the Chief Justice further observed,

“By rudely behaving with the lawyers or calling the officers of the court now and then, does it serve any purpose? And I think all of my 13 colleagues (judges who Justice Gavai has sat with in the past while serving as a Bombay High Court judge) who have shared Bench with me will agree that if you give the atmosphere in the court (a) pleasant (tone), it also helps you in maintaining your blood pressure and also diabetes, apart from not giving hypertension to the lawyers.”

CJI Gavai also raised concerns over reports of judges not devoting adequate time to court sittings. Without naming anyone, he stated,

“Another disturbing news that I have been receiving about a Bench — I won't name the Bench again because I don't want to be specific — is with regard to some of the judges sitting in court as part-time judges. If you have taken a call to answer to serve the office, then sitting for one hour in the first half and sitting for one hour in the second half belittles your oath. You are not being true to your oath. Therefore, I call upon each of you to be true to your oath. Do not do anything that will bring disrepute to this august institution.”

Moreover, the CJI also mentioned that he has distanced himself from public commentary and making promises, assuring that he intends to focus on carrying out his work as best as he can.

“I won't give any interviews or any promises. I have seen many instances of giving long interviews (at) the beginning of the career and making quick promises at the end of the tenure… I can only say that I will stick to the oath and discharge my responsibilities to the best of my abilities," he said.

In a cautionary note, CJI Gavai urged the judges of the Bombay High Court to be vigilant and avoid controversies seen elsewhere.

“Ensure that some of the incidents that have happened in the neighboring High Court don't happen.”

He concluded his address by expressing his gratitude to fellow judges and reaffirming his commitment to the legacy of the Bombay High Court.