CJI BR Gavai Highlights Judicial Integrity At UK Supreme Court Roundtable

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai participated in a high-level roundtable discussion at the UK Supreme Court on 3 June 2025, alongside Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath, Baroness Carr (Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales), and Lord Leggatt.

The session, titled ‘Maintaining Judicial Legitimacy and Public Confidence’, began at 6:00 PM and focused on transparency, accountability, and proactive reforms within the judiciary.

Addressing the gathering, CJI Gavai stated that judicial integrity remains the bedrock of democracy and emphasised the need for transparency and swift action in cases of impropriety.

“Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary,” he noted. “Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole.”

He stressed that the judiciary must act decisively and openly when addressing such concerns.

“The path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive, and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues,” he said, adding that the Indian Supreme Court has consistently responded to such matters with appropriate urgency.

Context Of Judicial Scrutiny

Justice Gavai’s comments arrive amid controversy surrounding Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court, who is reportedly facing possible impeachment proceedings.

A Supreme Court-appointed panel found significant irregularities, including a large quantity of burnt currency discovered at his official residence in Delhi, casting a shadow over judicial conduct in India.

Highlighting efforts to restore faith in the system, CJI Gavai referenced several recent reforms.

He pointed to the voluntary disclosure of assets by Supreme Court judges, affirming that ‘judges, as public functionaries, are accountable to the people’.

He also spoke about technological measures to increase transparency and access to justice.

Among the key initiatives, Gavai underlined the success of the e-SCR portal, which provides free access to Supreme Court judgments, particularly benefiting law students, researchers, and the wider public.

“This initiative greatly benefits law students, researchers, and citizens by enabling one-click access to court rulings,” he said.

Furthermore, the live-streaming of Constitution Bench hearings was cited as a significant step toward making judicial processes more accessible and inclusive.

The roundtable marked a meaningful exchange of ideas between Indian and British judicial leaders, unified by a shared commitment to uphold the values of justice, integrity, and public service.

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