Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday lauded the immense popularity and respect Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai commands across Maharashtra. During a speech at a felicitation event at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, “Such is the popularity of the Justice Gavai-sir that if a vote were to be conducted among all lawyers on any issue, Justice Gavai would not just secure a two-thirds majority, he would receive a thumping three-fourths support.” The statements made by Fadnavis received huge applause from the gathering.

The 52nd CJI, Gavai was in Mumbai after being invited for a felicitation ceremony organised by the Maharashtra Legislature (Vidhan Bhavan) as he took charge of the highest judicial office. The function was organised in honour of a person from Maharashtra — Justice Gavai — being appointed to the highest judicial post. Earlier, he has served as a judge of the Bombay High Court.

The CJI, while addressing the topic ‘The Constitution of India’, referred to Fadnavis’s remarks. He emphasised that responsibility comes with holding high office. “Posts are not power, they are power coupled with duty,” Gavai asserted.