CJI Condemns Bar Association's Refusal to Honour Justice Bela M. Trivedi

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai expressed deep dissatisfaction over the Supreme Court Bar Association's (SCBA) decision to not bid farewell to Justice Bela M. Trivedi. Presiding over a ceremonial bench convened in her honour on Friday, Chief Justice Gavai publicly criticized the stance taken by the Bar Association. Although Justice Bela M. Trivedi's official retirement date is June 9, she chose Friday as her last working day.

Chief Justice Gavai stated, “I am asking directly... the Association should not have adopted such a stance.” However, he appreciated the presence of SCBA President Kapil Sibal and Vice President Rachna Srivastava at the event. “I am grateful to Kapil Sibal and Rachna Srivastava for being here, despite their association having passed a resolution. The full attendance at this ceremonial bench demonstrates what the Association has missed. Justice Trivedi is an exceptional judge. There may be many kinds of judges, but there should never be a reason to deny someone the respect they deserve,” said Chief Justice Gavai.

Chief Justice Gavai praised Justice Trivedi’s integrity, impartiality, and diligence, stating that the Supreme Court endorses her values. “She has always acted impartially, and is known for her hard work and honesty... Justice Trivedi, you are a valuable asset to our judiciary. As you embark on a new journey, we extend our best wishes to you,” he said.

Justice Augustine George Masih, who was also present on the ceremonial bench, concurred with Chief Justice Gavai’s sentiments, stating, “Traditions must be upheld. I believe good traditions always continue.”

Justice Trivedi is known for her strict adherence to rules and traditional approach, and has reportedly faced confrontational situations with some bar members in the past. In one notable instance, a bench led by her ordered a CBI probe into allegations of forged Special Leave Petitions filed using fake vakalatnamas. Recently, she called for strict action against certain lawyers for misconduct while filing a petition.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani commended Justice Trivedi for consistently upholding institutional integrity. He remarked that her opinions on revisiting caste-based reservation policies in the EWS case contributed towards fostering an egalitarian society. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta praised her for never tailoring her judgments to public sentiment, highlighting her courage and conviction to deliver rulings that may not always please the public. SCBA President Kapil Sibal also echoed similar views.

In her farewell address, Justice Trivedi expressed gratitude and satisfaction in having always acted according to her conscience. “Judges come to the Supreme Court from diverse backgrounds and bring their own legal philosophies. This diversity is considered a strength of the Supreme Court, reflecting democratic values and judicial independence. Nevertheless, institutional unity is of greater importance,” she said.

Justice Bela M. Trivedi was appointed to the Supreme Court on August 31, 2021. At that time, a record nine new judges, including three women, took their oaths.

Born on June 10, 1960, in Patan, Gujarat, Justice Trivedi previously served as a judge of the Gujarat High Court, Legal Secretary in the Government of Gujarat, and Registrar (Vigilance) in the High Court. Earlier in her career, she was appointed as a judge in the City Civil and Sessions Court in Ahmedabad and practised as an advocate in the Gujarat High Court for nearly a decade.