“I have always believed that the office (of CJI) is not an office of power but an opportunity to serve the society and the nation,” Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said on Friday as he bid adieu to the judiciary after serving it for 22 years.

Sitting in a ceremonial Bench with his successor CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant and Justice K Vinod Chandran in Court No. 1 for the last time before his scheduled retirement on November 23, Justice Gavai said, “I am leaving the institution with a full sense of satisfaction and contentment.”

As a lawyer attempted to shower flower petals on him as a mark of respect, the CJI said, “Don’t throw… hand it over to someone,” drawing laughter across the packed courtroom.

An elderly advocate, Rakesh Kishore, had last month attempted to throw a shoe at the

See Full Page