CJI Surya Kant Calls for Humane Judiciary at Launch of ‘The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks’

July 14, 2026 : Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday emphasized that the justice delivery system must remain humane, accessible and rooted in constitutional values while addressing the launch of The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks, a curated collection of speeches by former Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Bhushan R. Gavai, at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi.

Describing the publication as much more than a commemorative volume, the Chief Justice said the book offers valuable insight into the philosophy and constitutional vision that guide judicial decision-making. He observed that while judgments determine legal rights and explain the reasons behind a decision, they are confined to the facts of a particular case and cannot always reflect the broader concerns that shape a judge’s thinking. According to him, speeches provide an opportunity for judges to engage more directly with the legal profession and society.

Highlighting the key themes reflected in Justice Gavai’s speeches, CJI Surya Kant said the first and foremost is access to justice. Referring to Article 39A of the Constitution, he stressed that constitutional guarantees become meaningful only when institutions recognize the human realities behind every dispute. He noted Justice Gavai’s consistent emphasis on free legal aid, the rights of undertrial prisoners and equal access to justice, adding that justice should never depend on a person’s financial resources.

The Chief Justice further identified the relationship between fundamental rights and social justice as another central theme of the book. He also underlined the importance of maintaining the right institutional temperament at a time when society is undergoing rapid technological and social transformation.

Addressing contemporary challenges, CJI Surya Kant observed that technological developments are advancing faster than legal doctrine, inequalities continue despite formal equality, and judicial institutions must constantly work to preserve public confidence. He said Justice Gavai’s speeches do not provide simplistic solutions but instead advocate a principled approach in which the law retains its human character while adapting to modern realities. He added that courts must remain accessible despite increasing complexity and that constitutional morality should become a lived principle rather than merely a phrase used in judicial decisions.

Summing up the significance of the publication, the Chief Justice remarked that the voice of justice must always be reasoned without becoming cold, firm without becoming arrogant, and constitutional while remaining humane. He described the book as both a literary accomplishment and a moral guide, expressing hope that it would find a place in court libraries, law schools, judges’ chambers and, above all, inspire young lawyers who will shape India’s constitutional future. The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks has been published by Thomson Reuters.