CJI Gavai Urges Wider Reach Of Legal Aid, Stronger Law Education

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Saturday stressed the importance of extending legal aid to the most remote parts of the country so that citizens are aware of their rights. He also called on stakeholders to strengthen legal education in smaller and less prominent colleges.

Addressing students and faculty at VM Salgaocar College of Law, CJI Gavai stated, “Unless the citizens know that they have the right to legal remedy, the remedy or the right will be of no help to them.”

Recalling his early career experiences, the CJI spoke of taking part in legal aid camps in the Northeast and in border areas of Rajasthan, highlighting the value of outreach work.

Encouraging students to dedicate themselves to social service, he asserted, “You are the future of tomorrow’s India.”

The Chief Justice of India further added that examination results alone do not define a person’s success, but rather their determination, persistence, and commitment.

Commending initiatives by the Salgaocar College of Law, CJI Gavai pointed to its practice of providing young lawyers with three rooms to use as chambers.

“Maybe other law colleges can emulate the experiment of giving three rooms to young lawyers for use as chambers for practice,” he noted.

Underscoring the need to uphold high standards in legal education, he observed, “These days there is a lot of focus on National Law Universities, but I believe other colleges are also producing bright students. But stakeholders should strengthen legal education infrastructure in mofussil colleges.”

The CJI’s remarks come at a time when courts are grappling with mounting case backlogs.

Pending Cases in Indian Courts

Data from the National Judicial Data Grid as of 21 July shows 5.29 crore cases pending nationwide:

• 4.65 crore in district and subordinate courts,
• 63.3 lakh in High Courts, and
• 86,742 in the Supreme Court

The shortage of judicial officers continues to strain the system.

Against a sanctioned strength of 25,843 judges in lower courts, only 21,122 are currently in position, according to the Department of Justice.

The Ministry of Law and Justice noted that appointments in district and subordinate courts fall under the purview of State governments and respective High Courts.

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