Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai on Saturday said that the Indian legal system is facing serious challenges and is “badly in need of fixing,” while expressing cautious optimism that the country’s youth and legal professionals will rise to meet these issues.
Delivering the Convocation Address at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad’s Justice City, CJI Gavai underscored the pressing concerns plaguing the judiciary, particularly the inordinate delays in trials that often stretch over decades. “We have seen cases where someone has been found innocent after spending years in jail as an undertrial,” he said, highlighting the human cost of judicial delays.
Despite acknowledging the systemic flaws, the Chief Justice said he remained hopeful. “Even though I conclude that our legal system is badly in need of fixing, I remain cautiously optimistic that my fellow citizens will rise to the challenges,” he noted, encouraging the graduating students to contribute to legal reform.
CJI Gavai also advised students to pursue higher education abroad through scholarships rather than placing financial burdens on their families. “Our best talent can help us resolve the problems that we are facing,” he said, urging the new graduates to use their education for systemic change.
Offering career advice, the Chief Justice told students to choose mentors based on their integrity rather than power or influence.
The convocation ceremony was also attended by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Supreme Court judge Justice P.S. Narasimha, and acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Sujoy Paul, who presided over the event.
