The Crossbill News Desk
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai on Thursday (June 19) underscored the Indian Supreme Court’s firm stand against "bulldozer justice," emphasising that the executive cannot assume the roles of judge, jury, and executioner.
Speaking at the Milan Court of Appeal, CJI Gavai referenced a landmark judgment where the court barred arbitrary demolitions, reinforcing that the construction of a home is intrinsically linked to socio-economic rights.
Delivering a lecture on "Role of Constitution in Delivering Socio-Economic Justice in a Country: Reflections from 75 Years of Indian Constitution," CJI Gavai stressed that a home is more than just property — it is the embodiment of a family’s hard work, aspirations, and search for stability and dignity.
Citing the Supreme Court ruling that halted demolition drives widely criticised for targeting marginalised communities, he said the judgment affirms that socio-economic rights are inseparable from the constitutional vision of justice.
“The executive cannot become judge, jury and executioner all at once," he remarked, as reported by The Times of India.
Reflecting on the Constitution's 75-year journey, the Chief Justice described it as one of “great ambition and important successes” in delivering justice to ordinary citizens.
He noted that various Directive Principles of State Policy have progressively been realised through judicial interpretation and legislation, often being elevated to the status of enforceable fundamental rights.
CJI Gavai also highlighted India's affirmative action policies in education and employment as tangible outcomes of constitutional promises aimed at correcting historical injustices and promoting substantive equality. These measures, he said, have expanded access and representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.
For an average citizen, construction of a house is often the culmination of years of hard work, dreams and aspirations. A house is not just a property but embodies the collective hopes of a family or individuals for stability, security and a future,” the CJI said.
“As we look back on these 75 years, there is no doubt that the Indian Constitution has strived for change in the life of the common people. To summarise, several aspects of Directive Principles were made enforceable by reading or legislating them as a facet of fundamental rights,” he added.
In a deeply personal moment, Justice Gavai recalled his own journey as the second Dalit to become Chief Justice of India, calling himself a direct beneficiary of the constitutional vision that seeks to democratise opportunity and dismantle caste-based exclusion.
His remarks drew attention to India’s ongoing constitutional commitment to socio-economic justice and inclusion, even as it grapples with challenges in ensuring equality and dignity for all citizens.
Speaking at the Milan Court of Appeal, CJI Gavai referenced a landmark judgment where the court barred arbitrary demolitions, reinforcing that the construction of a home is intrinsically linked to socio-economic rights.
Delivering a lecture on "Role of Constitution in Delivering Socio-Economic Justice in a Country: Reflections from 75 Years of Indian Constitution," CJI Gavai stressed that a home is more than just property — it is the embodiment of a family’s hard work, aspirations, and search for stability and dignity.
Citing the Supreme Court ruling that halted demolition drives widely criticised for targeting marginalised communities, he said the judgment affirms that socio-economic rights are inseparable from the constitutional vision of justice.
“The executive cannot become judge, jury and executioner all at once," he remarked, as reported by The Times of India.
Reflecting on the Constitution's 75-year journey, the Chief Justice described it as one of “great ambition and important successes” in delivering justice to ordinary citizens.
He noted that various Directive Principles of State Policy have progressively been realised through judicial interpretation and legislation, often being elevated to the status of enforceable fundamental rights.
CJI Gavai also highlighted India's affirmative action policies in education and employment as tangible outcomes of constitutional promises aimed at correcting historical injustices and promoting substantive equality. These measures, he said, have expanded access and representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.
For an average citizen, construction of a house is often the culmination of years of hard work, dreams and aspirations. A house is not just a property but embodies the collective hopes of a family or individuals for stability, security and a future,” the CJI said.
“As we look back on these 75 years, there is no doubt that the Indian Constitution has strived for change in the life of the common people. To summarise, several aspects of Directive Principles were made enforceable by reading or legislating them as a facet of fundamental rights,” he added.
In a deeply personal moment, Justice Gavai recalled his own journey as the second Dalit to become Chief Justice of India, calling himself a direct beneficiary of the constitutional vision that seeks to democratise opportunity and dismantle caste-based exclusion.
His remarks drew attention to India’s ongoing constitutional commitment to socio-economic justice and inclusion, even as it grapples with challenges in ensuring equality and dignity for all citizens.
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