All pillars of democracy must work together for citizens’ welfare: CJI

Chief Justice of India CJI Bhushan Gavai on Wednesday emphasised that all pillars of democracy the executive judiciary and legislature must work together for the welfare of citizens as none can function in isolation news agency PTI reportedWhile speaking at the foundation event for the Maharashtra National Law University MNLU campus in Mumbai CJI Gavai said the Constitution embodies the principles of liberty justice and equalityldquoThe judiciary has neither the power of the sword nor the power of words Without the executiversquos cooperation itrsquos difficult for the judiciary to ensure adequate infrastructure for courts and legal educationrdquo he notedHighlighting the growing focus on practical training in legal education Gavai said quality infrastructure is now crucial for the evolving field of lawWhile refuting claims that the Maharashtra Government lags in providing judicial infrastructure he called such criticism ldquofactually incorrectrdquo and praised the state and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for their proactive efforts PTI reportedldquoThe infrastructure provided to the judiciary in Maharashtra is among the bestrdquo Gavai addedHe further stated that legal education has undergone a ldquoparadigm shiftrdquo and the infrastructure being developed is comparable to top global universitiesQuoting Dr BR Ambedkar Gavai said ldquoA lawyer is also a social engineer who brings the promise of social justice into realityrdquoMeanwhile CM Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra now has three national law universities and credited CJI Gavai for his support in their establishment He expressed confidence that MNLU would soon achieve international recognition and revealed that Navi Mumbairsquos upcoming lsquoEducityrsquo hub will host 12 globally ranked universities with seven expected to set up campuses within the next two to three yearsCJI Gavai recommends appointment of Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of IndiaChief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has recommended to the Centre the name of Justice Surya Kant as the next CJIJustice Surya Kant the second seniormost Supreme Court judge after the incumbent CJI Gavai is set to become the 53rd chief justice of India on November 24 after CJI Gavais retirement on November 23CJI Gavai who was sworn in on May 14 this year recommended to the Union law ministry to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the next CJIHonble the Chief Justice of India Mr Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai recommends the name of Honble Mr Justice Surya Kant the senior most Judge of the Supreme Court as his successor to be the 53rd Chief Justice of India a press note from the top court saidJustice Surya Kant who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24 2019 would have a tenure of nearly 15 months years as the CJI He is due to retire on February 9 2027The retirement age of Supreme Court judges is 65 yearsAccording to the memorandum of procedure a set of documents which guide the appointment transfer and elevation of Supreme Court and high court judges states that appointment to the office of the chief justice of India should be the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the officeThe Union law minister would at the appropriate time seek the recommendation of the outgoing CJI for the appointment of his successorWith PTI inputs