'I Must Deprecate Openly...': CJI BR Gavai Slams Supreme Court Bar Association For Refusing To Hold Farewell For Justice Bela Trivedi

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Friday slammed the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) for not organising a farewell for Judge Bela Trivedi. The CJI said that the association should not have this stand.

"I must deprecate openly, because I believe in speaking plainly... The association (SCBA) ought not to have been such a stand," the CJI said while presiding over a ceremonial bench also comprising Justices Trivedi and Augustine George Masih.

However, CJI Gavai appreciated SCBA President Kapil Sibal and SCBA Vice President Rachna Srivastava for their presence during the ceremonial bench proceedings.

"I am grateful to Kapil Sibal and Rachna Srivastava, both of them are here. But the stand taken by the Association, I must deprecate openly. On such an occasion, such a stand ought not to have been taken by the Association," he said as quoted by PTI.

"So, therefore, I am openly appreciating Sibal and Srivastava for their presence. Despite the resolution of their bodies, they are here. But what has been lost by the association, the presence of the Full House here, vindicates 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.

Justice Masih made some similar statement. "Strangely enough, as has already been expressed by the chief (CJI), I feel sorry, but I must say that traditions need to be followed, and they are to be respected. I am sure good traditions should always continue," Justice Masih said.

The CJI lauded Justice Trivedi for her journey from he district judiciary to the apex court. "She should always be known for fairness, firmness, carefulness, hard work, devotion, dedication, industry, integrity.," he said.

The CJI further added that the top court endorsed Justice Trivedi's integrity and fairness.

The SCBA organises farewell functions for retiring apex court judges. However, the SCBA's decision not to hold a farewell for Justice Trivedi, possibly due to her some decisions that have gone against lawyers affiliated with the bar body.