In a significant endorsement of gender inclusivity in the legal profession, former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai has welcomed the Bar Council of India's landmark decision to provide 30% reservation for women in elections to state bar councils. He described the move as a reflection of a broader, irreversible shift towards greater inclusion within the justice delivery system.
A Transformative Trend in the Judiciary
Speaking at the inauguration of the District Bar Association's (DBA) new office in Nagpur on Friday, Justice Gavai highlighted the increasing role of women in shaping judicial institutions across India. He revealed that during his visits to various states, he has observed women's participation crossing 50% in the judiciary, with the number reaching as high as 70% in Rajasthan. He termed this trend both encouraging and transformative for the future of the legal ecosystem.
Celebrating Nagpur Bar's Illustrious Legacy
Connecting with his roots, Justice Gavai, who has been a member of the Nagpur DBA since 1990, proudly noted the exceptional legacy of the local bar. He pointed out that the Nagpur Bar has produced three Chief Justices of India, including himself, a rare feat in the nation's legal history. He credited the association for nurturing many renowned legal minds, naming former CJI MR Bobde, ex-advocate general Bhausaheb Bobde, and senior advocate VR Manohar among its distinguished alumni.
He further recalled that former CJI Mohammed Hidayatullah had also acknowledged the DBA's contribution in producing legal luminaries in his writings. Praising lawyers as "social workers and social engineers" who played a critical role in India's freedom struggle, Justice Gavai stated the DBA is doing its job well in ensuring justice reaches the last person.
New Office and Calls for Internal Dispute Resolution
Commenting on the newly inaugurated office located on the first floor of the old district and sessions court building, Justice Gavai appreciated its aesthetic design and practical facilities, such as lockers for advocates without fixed seating. He commended the meticulous planning by the DBA team led by president Roshan Bagde and secretary Manish Randive.
Justice Gavai also applauded efforts by the DBA and members of the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, including Anil Gowardipe and Parijat Pande, to establish courts at Hinganghat and in Ratnagiri district's Mandangad, which encompasses BR Ambedkar's ancestral village, Ambadve.
During the same event, Justice Anil Kilor, who accompanied the former CJI, advised lawyers against public protests and filming incidents within court premises. Referring to a recent controversy over parking at the district court, he urged the fraternity to resolve disputes internally, stating that public confrontations tarnish the bar's image. Justice Prafulla Khubalkar and principal district and sessions judge DP Surana were also present on the dais.
