File photo of CJI B R Gavai
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: During his first-ever visit to his home state of Maharashtra on Sunday, Justice Bhushan Gavai, who has taken over as the Chief Justice of India, expressed displeasure over protocol gaps.
Justice Gavai, on his day-long Mumbai tour, paid tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi, where the last rites of the chief architect of the Constitution of India were held, and also attended a felicitation function hosted by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
Justice Gavai was miffed when he did not notice Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla and Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti.
"The three pillars of democracy - Judiciary, Legislature and Executive - are equal. Every Constitutional institution must reciprocate and show respect to other institutions. When a person from Maharashtra becomes the Chief Justice of India and visits Maharashtra for the first time, if the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police or the Mumbai Police Commissioner don't feel it appropriate to be present, then they need to reflect on that,” he said.
“Protocols are not something new, it's a question of the respect one constitutional body gives to another,” added Justice Gavai.
"If in my place there was someone else, then the provisions of Article 142 (of the Constitution) would be considered," Gavai said in a lighter vein about the provisions which give special powers to the Supreme Court.
When Justice Gavai was asked about his remarks on the protocol lapse, he replied that he is "not fussy" about protocols but had only said what had happened.