Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai delivered his farewell address at the ceremonial bench conducted by the Supreme Court, marking the culmination of nearly four decades of service as a lawyer, High Court judge, Supreme Court judge, and ultimately, the 51st Chief Justice of India. Speaking to a packed courtroom, the CJI said his “voice is choked and heart is full of sentiment”, as he expressed deep gratitude to the Bar, the Bench, and the institutions that shaped his judicial journey.
Recalling his beginnings, the CJI said, “When I joined the profession in 1985, I joined as a student of law. Today, when I leave my office, I do it as a student of justice.” He emphasised that for him, judicial office was never about authority but duty: “I always believe that every office is not an office of power, but it’s an opportunity to serve the society, to serve the nation….“I always believe that the judgment should be written for the end consumer… the individual should not require an interpreter to interpret the judgment.”
CJI Gavai spoke of the influence of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, whom he referred to as a lifelong inspiration, and his father, a close associate of Dr. Ambedkar. “He always advocated for social and economic justice along with political justice.”
CJI Gavai also acknowledged the collaboration and friendship of his judicial colleagues: “You are my teachers in dual capacity… as colleagues on the Bench.” He emphasised institutional unity: “We must work as an institution as a whole.”
As he concluded, the Chief Justice turned emotional:
“When I leave this court hall for the last time… I leave with full sense of satisfaction that I have done whatever best I could have done for this country.”