Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai visited the Bombay High Court on Friday, where he reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the issue of case pendency by ensuring that the court functions at full judicial strength. The visit was marked by the inauguration of the Bombay Bar Association’s (BBA) first-ever guidelines on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, along with the launch of the BBA App, an integrated real-time platform for lawyers.
In an emotional and inspiring address to the legal fraternity, Justice Gavai recollected his long-standing association with the Bombay High Court, calling it the foundation of his legal journey. Reflecting on his early years as a lawyer, he said, “March 16, 1985, was the day I entered this building and began practicing with Rajabhau Bhosale. My first appearance was before Justice B.Lentin on April 1, 1985 — I still remember being corrected when I asked, ‘My Lord should adjourning this matter.’”
Justice Gavai paid rich tribute to the legacy of the Bombay Bar, referencing greats like C.K. Daphtary, S.V. Gupte, and the first Chief Justice of India, Hiralal J. Kania, all of whom emerged from this institution.
Justice Gavai emphasized the importance of merit-based appointments and reaffirmed his dedication to transparency in the selection process. “The Supreme Court is the court of all judges. We have tried to move away from the perception of it being a CJI-centric institution. Since May 14, we’ve taken several institutional decisions as a collegium, including interviews of 54 candidates and recommending 36 appointments.”
He added that two new judges have already joined the Bombay High Court, and efforts are being made to ensure the High Court soon functions at full strength, helping reduce the burden of pending cases.
“We will continue to ensure that judicial vacancies are filled with complete transparency, ensuring representation for all sections of society while never compromising on merit,” he assured.
CJI Gavai inaugurated the Bombay Bar Association’s new AI guidelines the first of their kind to govern the ethical and practical use of Artificial Intelligence in the judicial process. He also launched the BBA App, a digital platform aimed at improving accessibility and efficiency for lawyers across the High Court.
Justice Gavai concluded with humility, calling himself a “student of law,” and said that even after years on the bench, the learning never stops. “Whether it was arguing before Justice Barucha or hearing Janak Dwarkadas and Milind Satya on IPR matters, each moment has contributed to my growth.”
He reiterated the judiciary’s constitutional responsibility, saying, “Under Article 226, it is the duty of every judge to uphold justice and the Constitution. I have always strived to do just that.”
