Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 19: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, during his first official visit to Maharashtra since assuming the top judicial post, voiced disappointment over the absence of senior state government officials at a public felicitation event held in his honour on Sunday.

While refraining from labeling it a "protocol violation," CJI Gavai highlighted the broader implications of the snub, noting the importance of mutual respect among the country’s constitutional institutions.

“If the Chief Secretary of the state, the Director General of Police, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner don’t consider it appropriate to attend an event welcoming the Chief Justice of India to his home state, it certainly calls for reflection,” said Justice Gavai, addressing a packed gathering in Mumbai.

“It’s not about formalities or new protocols — it’s about respecting one constitutional institution by another. When the head of one institution visits, a suitable reception should be a matter of principle, not choice,” he added.

In a subtle yet pointed tone, the CJI reminded the audience that democratic governance rests on a delicate balance between the three constitutional pillars — the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the Executive — and that harmony and mutual respect are essential for effective functioning.

The Chief Justice’s remarks come in the context of recent frictions between the judiciary and the executive, especially following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Tamil Nadu Bills case. The ruling, which invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to impose a deadline on Governors for granting assent to Bills, has sparked heated political and legal debate, with some alleging judicial overreach.

With a dash of wit, Justice Gavai also made a passing remark on the potential for backlash had the situation been reversed: “Had it been one of us skipping such a moment, we might have found ourselves in a heated discussion about Article 142,” he quipped, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for “complete justice” in any matter before it — a provision that has often been at the heart of high-impact judicial interventions, including the recent Tamil Nadu case that touched upon themes of federalism and governance.

In essence, CJI Gavai’s address was not only a call for procedural propriety but also a broader commentary on the evolving dynamics between India’s constitutional bodies — underlining the importance of mutual respect, especially in times of institutional strain.