Overview

• Chief Justice Gavai cautioned that judges accepting government posts or contesting elections immediately after retirement raises ethical concerns and undermines perceived impartiality.
• He and several Supreme Court colleagues have publicly committed to refuse post-retirement appointments to preserve the judiciary’s credibility.
• Gavai defended the collegium system as essential for safeguarding judicial autonomy against executive influence in appointments.
• He highlighted transparency initiatives including live-streaming Constitution Bench hearings and public asset declarations by judges to boost accountability.
• The apex court has moved rapidly on misconduct cases, notably advancing inquiries into Justice Yashwant Varma’s unaccounted cash scandal.