CJI Gavai: Ambedkar Envisioned Judiciary Free from Executive Control

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, speaking at a felicitation ceremony by the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday, underscored B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of a judiciary free from executive interference. Honored for his recent elevation to the nation’s top judicial post, Gavai highlighted Ambedkar’s belief in the Constitution’s supremacy as a unifying force for India in times of peace and war.

Addressing the legislature, Gavai noted that Ambedkar viewed the judiciary as a “watchdog and custodian” of citizens’ rights, emphasizing its role alongside the executive and legislature while maintaining independence. “Ambedkar stressed that the judiciary must be free from executive influence to uphold justice,” he said, also quoting Ambedkar’s view that the Constitution should be an organic, evolving document rather than a static one.

The event saw both houses of the Maharashtra legislature, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, congratulate Gavai, a Nagpur native and the first Dalit CJI since 1989. His remarks reaffirm the judiciary’s pivotal role in safeguarding constitutional values, reflecting Ambedkar’s enduring legacy in shaping India’s democratic framework.

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