Justice N.V. Ramana is Truly a Man of the People, Says Incoming CJI Justice B.R. Gavai

Incoming Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai described former Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana as “the Chief Justice of the people,” lauding his efforts to make the judiciary more accessible to common citizens. Justice Gavai praised Justice Ramana's vision and notable contributions during the launch of the book "Narratives off the Bench: A Judge Speaks", a compilation of speeches delivered by Justice Ramana. The event took place on Wednesday at the Delhi High Court Auditorium in New Delhi, with Justice Gavai attending as the chief guest.

Justice B.R. Gavai remarked that Justice Ramana challenged the perception that judges are distant and disconnected from the public. “Justice Ramana believed in going to the people and connecting with them. I truly consider him the people’s Chief Justice of India. He is perhaps one of the first CJIs who dismantled the barrier between the judiciary and the public,” said Justice Gavai.

Justice Gavai, who will assume the role of Chief Justice of India on May 14 following the retirement of the current CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna on May 13, noted three key similarities between himself, Justice Ramana, and Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant. “All three of us come from rural backgrounds, belong to farming families, and are first-generation lawyers,” he explained.

While praising Justice Ramana’s vision, Justice Gavai also highlighted his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He recalled the historic event in 2021 when, under Justice Ramana’s tenure as CJI, nine judges took oath simultaneously at the Supreme Court. Among them was Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who Justice Gavai noted has the potential to become India’s first woman Chief Justice in the future. “He (Justice Ramana) is a true humanist, a person filled with affection and empathy. Humanity, compassion, and sensitivity are embodied in him. These traits reflect not only in his judgments but also in the speeches presented in this book,” Justice Gavai stated.

Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath also spoke at the event. They commended Justice Ramana for his consistent focus on societal welfare. Justice Vikram Nath described Justice Ramana as a “friend of the people.”

In his address, Justice N.V. Ramana emphasized that the judiciary is not merely an institution for resolving disputes, but a symbol of constitutional morality and a last ray of hope for the common citizen. He stated that during his tenure as CJI, he focused on ensuring representation from all sections of society within the judiciary, incorporating Indian languages into court proceedings, and delivering quality legal aid to the public. He clarified that the book is not a commentary on legal doctrines but a compilation of reflections drawn from his diverse experiences as a student leader, trade union activist, journalist, lawyer, and judge.

Several judges and legal experts attended the event.