Credibility of judiciary has to be enhanced: SC judge

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who will assume office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, believes the credibility of the judiciary must be "enhanced", particularly in the wake of the episode involving former Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma.

- Utkarsh Anand and Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI: In a candid conversation ahead of his six-month tenure at the helm, the CJI-designate addressed a range of contentious issues — from allegations of nepotism in judicial appointments to attacks on the judiciary from other constitutional authorities — and underlined the need to uphold the dignity of the institution above all else. Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Justice Gavai asserted that the Supreme Court cannot remain a passive bystander in times of national crisis.

"The credibility of the judiciary has to be enhanced. Black sheep are everywhere. We have around 900 judges, but yes, there are issues that need to be addressed because the judiciary is the institution that commands the last hope and faith of the people in the country," he said. On the Justice Varma episode, he was clear: "The CJI (Justice Sanjiv Khanna) took immediate steps."

The judiciary has found itself embroiled in a controversy following the recovery of cash from the residence of Justice Varma on March 14, while he served as a judge of the Delhi high court.