Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Tuesday requested that the “trivial” issue of alleged protocol violation during his visit to Maharashtra “not be blown out of proportion” and be “given a quietus”. In a release, the top court said “all concerned have already expressed regrets” in the matter.
“News items are being published in the media regarding protocol issues during the visit of Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India to Maharashtra. All concerned have already expressed regrets. Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India has expressed that a trivial issue should not be blown out of proportion. CJI has requested everyone that the matter be given a quietus,” the release said.
On his after taking over as Chief Justice of India, CJI Gavai had expressed his disappointment at the absence of senior state officials at a felicitation event held in his honour on May 18 saying “every organ of the Constitution must…give its due respect to the other”.
Speaking at the event organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, said, “We say that there are three pillars of democracy, judiciary, legislature and executive, and that they are equal. Every organ of the Constitution must reciprocate and give its due respect to the other organs. A person from Maharashtra is coming to the state as Chief Justice of India for the first time. If Maharashtra’s chief secretary, the state’s director general of police or the Mumbai commissioner of police do not feel it necessary to come, it is for them to think about.”
Speaking at a book launch event Monday evening, backed CJI Gavai. Dhankhar said that CJI Gavai’s comments were not for himself, but his position. He added, “We must believe in protocol. The Chief Justice of the country and protocol is placed very high. When he indicated this, it was not personal. It was for the position he holds. And I am sure this will be kept in mind by one and all…I am really beholden to the present chief justice for inviting attention to the people in bureaucracy, adherence to protocol is fundamental.”
After the CJI flagged the issue on Sunday, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, and Mumbai Police Commissioner P Deven Bharti were present when he visited Chaitya Bhoomi to pay tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar. They are learnt to have expressed regret to the CJI and also accompanied him till the airport on his way back.
He reported from the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India during his first stint with The Indian Express in 2005-2006. Currently, in his second stint with The Indian Express, he reports from the Supreme Court and writes on topics related to law and the administration of justice. Legal reporting is his forte though he has extensive experience in political and community reporting too, having spent a decade as Kerala state correspondent, The Times of India and The Telegraph. He is a stickler for facts and has several impactful stories to his credit.
