Why Did Maharashtra's Senior Officers Miss CJI Gavai's Event?
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Synopsis
Maharashtra Congress Leader Vijay Wadettiwar condemns senior officials for skipping Chief Justice Gavai's event, highlighting a breach of protocol. Is the state's government at odds with the judiciary? This incident raises questions about respect among constitutional institutions.
Key Takeaways
- Violation of Protocol: Senior officials skipped a key event for the Chief Justice.
- Respect for Judiciary: The absence raised questions about respect for constitutional institutions.
- Chief Justice's Remarks: Emphasized the need for proper reception during official visits.
- Article 142: Highlights the Supreme Court's powers in ensuring justice.
- Accountability: Calls for clarity on the reasons behind the officials' absence.
Mumbai, May 19 (NationPress) Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar has condemned the violation of protocol by senior administrative and police officials during Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai's recent visit to the state.
The top officials of the Maharashtra government failed to attend a function on Sunday held in Mumbai to honor the newly appointed Chief Justice Gavai.
In his post on X, Wadettiwar remarked, "This is a regrettable incident. A son of Maharashtra, who has achieved the esteemed position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court through hard work, has been disrespected by the state government. Are the ruling officials in Maharashtra displeased with the judiciary? Can they not adhere to basic protocol? Will the government and its administrative heads take accountability for this? At the very least, clarify where the fault lies?"
This criticism follows Chief Justice Gavai's expression of dissatisfaction during his speech on Sunday regarding the absence of senior Maharashtra government officials, including the Chief Secretary, at his inaugural public event in the state after assuming his role as head of the Judiciary.
Wadettiwar emphasized, "This is a matter of respect among institutional branches for the judiciary. If the Chief Justice of India is visiting Maharashtra for the first time, and the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Mumbai Police Commissioner deem it unnecessary to attend, they should reconsider their stance. This is not a new protocol issue; it’s about respect among constitutional bodies," he stated.
Chief Justice Gavai added, "When the leader of a constitutional institution visits the state for the first time, the reception they receive should be thoughtfully considered... These may appear to be minor details, but their importance should not be underestimated." He underscored that the three branches of democracy—the judiciary, legislature, and executive—are equally significant, and each must show respect for the others.
He humorously remarked, "Had it been one of us in this situation, discussions around Article 142 might have ensued," eliciting light-hearted applause from the audience. Article 142 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue any order necessary for achieving complete justice in any pending case.
Interestingly, following the Chief Justice's criticism, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Mumbai Police Commissioner met him during his visit to Chaityabhoomi at Dadar.
Point of View
And accountability must be prioritized.
NationPress
10/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did senior officials skip the CJI's event?
The senior officials did not attend the event, raising concerns about a breach of protocol and respect for the judiciary.
What did Vijay Wadettiwar say about the incident?
Wadettiwar condemned the absence of officials, questioning if the ruling government is at odds with the judiciary.
What is Article 142?
Article 142 grants the Supreme Court the authority to pass any necessary orders to ensure justice in pending cases.
How did the Chief Justice react to the absence of officials?
Chief Justice Gavai expressed his disappointment and emphasized the importance of respectful reception for constitutional leaders.
What happened after the CJI's comments?
Following the CJI's remarks, top officials, including the Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner, met him during a separate visit.
