In an unusual and candid moment at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Friday expressed his disapproval over the decision of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) to not organise an official farewell for retiring judge Justice Bela M Trivedi.
The customary farewell ceremonies by the bar associations, held at 4:30 PM on the last working day of a retiring Supreme Court judge, are long-standing traditions. However, no such event was announced for Justice Trivedi, whose tenure on the Bench concluded today.
CJI Gavai, while presiding over the ceremonial bench alongside Justice AG Masih to mark Justice Trivedi’s retirement, did not hold back in voicing his disappointment.
“I am grateful to Mr. Sibal and Rachana Srivastava that both of them are here. But the stand taken by the Association (SCBA), I must deprecate openly, because I believe in being plain and straight. On such occasions, such a stand ought not to have been taken by the Association,” the CJI said.
He praised SCBA President Kapil Sibal and Vice-President Rachana Srivastava for attending the ceremony despite the bar associations’ decision. “The presence of the full house here fully indicates, the verdict is given, that she is a very, very good judge,” he observed, adding that differences in judging style should not determine whether a farewell is warranted.
Describing Justice Trivedi as a judge known for “firmness, fearlessness, hard work, integrity and spirituality,” CJI Gavai emphasised that such traditions must not be ignored.
Justice AG Masih echoed the CJI’s sentiments, terming the lack of a farewell “strange” and stressing the importance of preserving institutional traditions.
“Strangely enough, as has already been expressed by the Chief, I am sorry, I shouldn’t be saying it, but traditions need to be followed and they are to be respected. I am sure good traditions should continue always,” Justice Masih said.
He extended warm wishes to Justice Trivedi, describing her as a source of “affection” and predicting that she would continue to be a mentor and guide even after retirement.
Justice Bela M Trivedi, who was elevated to the Supreme Court in August 2021, previously served as a judge of the Gujarat and Rajasthan High Courts and also held key roles in the judicial services. Her final day on the Bench has now become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the judiciary’s evolving customs and institutional etiquette.
