Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud’s successor, CJI B.R. Gavai, reaffirmed on Friday that concrete steps are underway to ease the burden of pending cases at the Bombay High Court. His remarks came during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Bombay Bar Association at the court’s historic Central Hall.

CJI Gavai, who hails from the Bombay High Court himself, acknowledged the persistent issue of judicial vacancies, noting it was a pressing concern. The court’s sanctioned capacity stands at 94 judges, but until recently, it had been functioning with far fewer. With the induction of Justices Gautam Ankad and Mahendra Nerlikar, the bench now has 65 sitting judges.

“I want to assure you that we’re actively working on every name that is recommended. We want the Bombay High Court to operate at full capacity as soon as possible. That’s the only way we can begin addressing the issue of pendency meaningfully,” the CJI told the gathering.

Emphasis on Transparency and Representation

Highlighting the importance of transparency in the appointment process, CJI Gavai shared that a full court meeting was held the day after he assumed office on May 14. He credited his predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, for introducing reforms that brought more clarity to judicial selections. Gavai revealed that interviews had been conducted for 54 candidates, and 36 names were forwarded for consideration—two of whom were successfully appointed this week.

“I’m especially glad that Justices Ankad and Nerlikar have joined us today. It’s a sign that things are moving in the right direction,” he said.

The President of India had approved the appointments on Thursday, and both judges took their oaths the following morning. Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe expressed surprise and delight at the swift pace of the process. “Justice Ankad told me he didn’t even have time to react. It happened so quickly—thanks to the Chief Justice of India,” he said warmly.

Merit with Inclusivity

In a nod to recent concerns raised by Supreme Court judge and former Bombay High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, CJI Gavai reiterated his stance that judicial appointments must strike a balance between inclusivity and excellence.

“Representation across different communities is essential, but let me be clear—merit will never be compromised,” he asserted.

Justice Datta had earlier voiced concern about potential interference in the functioning of the collegium system. On Friday, he fondly remembered how CJI Gavai had once intervened to overturn a decision by then-CJI Sharad Bobde, allowing him to transfer to Mumbai during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’ll always be grateful,” he said.

A Personal Touch

The formal proceedings ended on a light-hearted note. CJI Gavai jokingly referred to Justice A.R. Chandurkar as the “baby judge” of the Supreme Court, drawing laughter from the audience. Justice Datta also added a playful twist, saying, “If the Malaysian Bar ever plays a cricket match against the Bombay Bar, count me in.”

As India’s judiciary continues to grapple with case backlogs, especially in high courts, CJI Gavai’s strong push for quicker appointments and a transparent selection process is seen as a positive signal. His message to the legal fraternity was clear: reforms are underway, and the system is moving toward restoring speed and faith in justice delivery.