Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai on Saturday praised the Indian Constitution for preserving the nation’s unity in times of crisis and lauded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as one of the most powerful and hardworking leaders in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed High Court Advocates’ Chamber Building and Multi-Level Parking facility at the Allahabad High Court premises — a project worth ₹680 crore — CJI Gavai remarked, “Whenever India has faced a crisis, it has responded with strength and unity, and the credit for this goes to the Constitution.”
“India’s Constitution Has Ensured Social and Economic Equality”
Justice Gavai highlighted the transformative journey of Indian democracy since the adoption of the Constitution 75 years ago, noting that the legislature, executive, and judiciary have all contributed significantly to achieving social and economic equity. “Several laws were enacted to redistribute land from landlords to the landless,” he said.
Reflecting on the evolution of constitutional interpretation, he pointed out the landmark 1973 ruling by a 13-judge bench of the Supreme Court that affirmed Parliament’s authority to amend fundamental rights, while upholding that the Constitution’s basic structure could not be altered. “The judgment also emphasized that both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are essential — they are the twin wheels of the Constitution’s golden chariot. If one stops, the whole chariot comes to a halt.”
“Bar and Bench Are Two Sides of the Same Coin”
CJI Gavai praised the cooperation between the judiciary and legal fraternity in Uttar Pradesh, observing, “I have always said the Bar and the Bench are two sides of the same coin. Unless they work together, the chariot of justice cannot move forward.”
Commending the Allahabad High Court for setting an example, he noted that judges had vacated 12 bungalows to provide space for advocates’ chambers. “This shows admirable concern for our lawyer colleagues,” he added.
Praise for CM Yogi Adityanath
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, present at the event, called CM Yogi Adityanath the most hardworking Chief Minister. Echoing this sentiment, CJI Gavai said, “Allahabad is indeed the land of powerful people.”
CM Yogi Highlights Government Initiatives for Advocates
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, assured that both the state and central governments are committed to resolving the issues faced by advocates. He announced that ₹1,700 crore had already been sanctioned for the construction of advocate complexes in seven districts.
Further, he highlighted enhancements in the Advocate Welfare Fund, raising the assistance amount from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh and increasing the eligibility age limit from 60 to 70 years. “An allocation of ₹500 crore has been made for this scheme,” the CM said.
High Court’s Role in Mahakumbh Praised
CM Yogi also appreciated the role played by the Allahabad High Court in the successful organization of the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. “Not a single developmental project was stayed by the Court, which made this massive event a grand success,” he said.
Inauguration Attended by Supreme Court and High Court Judges
The ceremony was graced by several dignitaries including Supreme Court Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, J.K. Maheshwari, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra; Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal; Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court Arun Bhansali; and Chief Justice of Delhi High Court D.K. Upadhyaya.
Massive Infrastructure for Advocates at Allahabad High Court
The newly constructed 14-storey chamber building includes five floors dedicated to parking and six floors for advocates’ chambers, with a total of 2,366 chambers and parking space for 3,835 vehicles. It is equipped with 26 elevators, 28 escalators, and 4 travellators, significantly upgrading infrastructure and accessibility for legal professionals.
