Full-court press

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai's commitment to social justice, and his judicial restraint, offer opportunities for a meaningful legacy. But he only has six months to do so

- BY KANU SARDA

EVERY CORNER OF Chief Justice B.R. Gavai's home resonates with Maharashtrian warmth. Intricate rangoli designs at the entrance, interiors featuring brass lamps and antique copper utensils, a beautifully crafted wooden swing with embroidered cushions, and a courtyard lush with tulsi plants. It is a perfect parcel of regional pride, a piece of Amravati he has carried into the national capital.

A lover of Marathi cuisine, the chief justice is often found enjoying a meal at Maharashtra Sadan in the capital, and still makes it a point to visit his village three times a year—on the birth and death anniversary of his late father, and during the annual fair.

His father, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai, known as Dadasaheb, was a titan in his own right: a parliamentarian, former governor of Bihar and Kerala, and a fierce Ambedkarite. Raised in a Buddhist household, the young Gavai grew up amid debates on justice and dignity, with the Constitution not just a document but a sacred covenant. “I am here only because of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Constitution of India,” he told THE WEEK days before he took oath as chief justice. “I am fulfilling my father’s dream.”

At 25, Gavai stepped into the legal arena and honed his craft at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. He specialised in constitutional and administrative law, and was elevated to the Bombay High Court as an additional judge in 2003. He served across Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji, his rulings a blend of rigour and empathy. In 2019, his ascent to the Supreme Court marked a historic moment: he became the first scheduled caste judge in the apex court since Justice K.G. Balakrishnan's retirement in 2010. Now, as the first Buddhist and second dalit chief justice, the 64-year-old has six months to try and implement his vision and bring about transformative change.