CJI chides SCBA for not holding Justice Bela Trivedi farewell event

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Friday expressed its displeasure over the decision of the Bar bodies not to give a formal farewell to Justice Bela M Trivedi, saying he openly deprecated it.

Presiding over a ceremonial bench, the CJI said, "The stand taken by the Association, I must deprecate openly because I believe in being plain and straight. Such a stand ought not to be taken on such occasion."

He pointed out the presence of the full house here, vindicated that she is a very, very good judge.

"There are different types of judges, but that should not be a factor to deny what ought to have been granted," the CJI said.

He, however, appreciated presence of SCBA president Kapil Sibal and Vice President Rachna Srivastava in the courtroom.

The CJI also commended Justice Trivedi for being “fair" and her “hard work and integrity."

"She has always been fair, known for her hard work, integrity. Justice Trivedi, you have been a valuable asset for our judiciary, as you embark on a new journey, I wish you all the best," the CJI said in his remarks.

As a matter of practice, the SCBA holds farewell functions for retiring apex court judges and an exceptional decision was taken in Justice Trivedi’s case possibly because of some decisions that have gone against lawyers affiliated to the bar body.

Separately, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra urged the SCBA and SC Advocate on Record Association to reconsider their decision to forgo farewell to Justice Trivedi as a gesture of institutional respect and her gratitude for her notable contributions to the judiciary.

Justice Trivedi was elevated as judge of the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021. She is only the eleventh woman judge to be elevated to the Supreme Court in its 75-year-old history.

She had the rare distinction of being elevated to the top court after starting out as a trial court judge in Gujarat in July 1995. Her father was already working as the judge, city civil and sessions court when she was appointed.

The Limca Book of Indian records has recorded the entry in their 1996 edition that 'Father - daughter judges in the same court'.

She is due to retire on June 9, 2025 when the courts would be on summer vacations.

She was part of a five-judge Constitution bench, which by a 3:2 majority, in November 2022 upheld 10 per cent reservation introduced in 2019 for economically weaker sections.

Sitting in a seven-bench in August, 2024, she had dissented with the majority view on sub classification of SC/STs and held only Parliament can do it.