Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, addressed the 10th All India Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Conference, emphasising that the judiciary must operate not on wealth but on a love for justice and independence.
Justice Gavai stressed that the relevance of the judiciary lies in its transparency, accountability, and the public’s confidence.
Appreciating the achievements of CAT, he noted that the tribunal has served as a vital platform for resolving service disputes for over four decades.
However, he highlighted the increasing number of pending cases and repeated challenges in the High Courts as growing concerns.
The Chief Justice recalled that CAT was established 41 years ago in Bombay and has maintained its relevance over time.
According to the Law Commission report, CAT has successfully disposed of approximately 94 per cent of cases, settling around four lakh cases out of six lakh filed.
This represents an improvement from 91 per cent between 2016 and 2019. Justice Gavai cautioned that numbers alone cannot measure achievements, noting that pending cases have increased from 44,000 in 2017 to over one lakh today.
He expressed concern over the large volume of appeals against CAT decisions, which prolongs litigation in the High Courts.
Call for Reforms in Member Training & Case Management
Justice Gavai suggested introducing a filtering mechanism or certification system to determine which cases are appeal-worthy.
He underlined the importance of training both judicial and administrative members separately to ensure familiarity with administrative procedures.
Furthermore, he advocated for a unified appointment process with clear eligibility criteria to enhance transparency and strengthen public trust.
The CJI also highlighted the need for a National Judicial Data Grid for administrative tribunals, enabling a comparative and transparent assessment of case registration, disposal, and pendency.
On judicial conduct, he cautioned that inappropriate behaviour by some judges tarnishes the judiciary’s image, which often becomes a topic of discussion in the media and on social platforms.
Justice Gavai used a story to illustrate his point, emphasising that judges must live for justice, not wealth, and that judges and lawyers form the two wings of the golden bird named Justice.
Without the collaboration of both, the judiciary cannot function effectively. He concluded by asserting that judicial and tribunal members hold significant power, which must be exercised with humility and responsibility.
Addressing the conference, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal noted that government departments frequently file routine appeals against valid tribunal orders.
He urged officials to reconsider and curb indiscriminate appeals, noting that initial incorrect departmental notings often lead to appeals that later prove unnecessary once the official retires.
Prominent judicial and government officials attended the conference at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, highlighting their commitment to reforming administrative justice in India.
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