Overview
- On his last working day, Nov 21, Chief Justice B R Gavai delivered a reflective farewell before retiring on Nov 23, with Justice Surya Kant set to take over on Nov 24.
- From the ceremonial bench, he said the court used a 'swadeshi interpretation' in its Presidential Reference opinion on assent to bills, which rejected rigid timelines and the idea of deemed assent while distinguishing foreign systems.
- His final judgments featured sweeping environmental directions, including a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, a halt on new mining leases there, and orders on eco‑sensitive zones, sanctuary notifications and mining buffers near reserves.
- He framed judging as public service, invoked Dr B R Ambedkar, and reiterated his secular outlook, saying he practices Buddhism and believes in all religions.
- He acknowledged sharp criticism from within his community over the 2024 ruling permitting sub‑classification of Scheduled Castes and excluding a creamy layer, and he was earlier targeted in an aborted shoe‑throwing incident that drew broad condemnation.