Future chief justices discuss vision and leadership for Indian judiciary at Delhi high court

NEW DELHI: Warm hugs, bonhomie, and a freewheeling discussion on the future of the Indian judiciary were the highlights of a high-profile event at Delhi High Court Wednesday.The next three successive future Chief Justices of India shared the dais with a recently retired CJI and discussed their long-term vision for justice at a high court still reeling from the cash pile row.CJI-designate Justice B R Gavai, who takes over the reins next week, said the CJI's role requires leadership and a long-term vision for justice. He praised former CJI N V Ramana for his contribution to the judiciary and his vision of making justice accessible to citizens."He must be one of the first CJIs who broke that ice, of the judges being isolated from the public," Justice Gavai said at the launch of the book "Narratives off the Bench - A Judge Speaks" -- a collection of speeches delivered by the ex-CJI.Justice Gavai lauded the vision of Justice Ramana, saying he was a firm believer in diversity and inclusiveness. He recalled the historic moment when nine judges took oath at one go in SC in 2021 when CJI Ramana was at the helm of affairs. "He believed in going to the people... I think he was truly the people's Chief Justice of India," Justice Gavai said.In an interesting aside, he pointed out three commonalities he shared with Ramana and Justice Suryakant, who was also at the event. "All three of us come from a rural background, all belong to agricultural families, and all are first-generation lawyers," Justice Gavai said.The judiciary is "one of the last remaining spaces of hope for the common man", Justice Ramana said, noting "unwarranted attacks on this institution affect the very foundation of people's trust". He said SC judges have a "moral and institutional duty" to look after all the judges of the country so they feel supported and a judicial culture "rooted in dignity, integrity and solidarity" gets nurtured.Justice Suryakant, in line to take over as CJI later this year after Justice Gavai superannuates, called for greater public engagement by judges. "When judges share their insights and opinions in public forums, they perform a vital democratic function," he said.Justice Vikram Nath, who will have a tenure as CJI in 2027, said every legal reform must keep the litigant at its centre.