CJI Gavai, speaking at NALSAR’s convocation, called for urgent reforms in India’s legal system, citing decades-long trial delays and institutional shortcomings. He urged investment in research, mentorship, and ethical legal environments to retain top talent and restore dignity to the legal profession.
In a powerful and reflective address at the convocation ceremony of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai painted a candid picture of the Indian legal system and its pressing need for reform. Speaking to a hall of graduating law students, the CJI did not shy away from identifying the critical flaws within the system and highlighted the urgent need to confront and rectify them.
“The Indian legal system is badly in need of fixing,” he declared, setting the tone for a deeply introspective and solution-driven speech. He emphasized that India’s judiciary and broader legal framework are confronting unique and complex challenges—ranging from judicial delays and lack of institutional support to brain drain and an absence of conducive environments for legal research.
Decades-Long Trial Delays and Undertrial Injustice
Justice Gavai highlighted one of the gravest issues plaguing the Indian legal system: the delay in trials. He pointed out that it is not uncommon for cases to drag on for decades, leading to tragic instances where innocent individuals spend years behind bars as undertrials before being acquitted. “We have seen cases where someone has been found innocent after spending years in jail as an undertrial,” he lamented.
He said such systemic failures necessitate a comprehensive overhaul, and that India must tap into its best legal minds to create a more responsive and efficient justice system.
Investing in Imagination and Infrastructure
The CJI emphasized that the country must go beyond simply investing in institutions. To build a robust legal framework, there must be equal investment in mentorship programs, research fellowships, policy labs, ethical workspaces, and innovation ecosystems. These, he said, are essential to inspire talented students to stay in India or return after studying abroad.
Cautioning students about the financial and emotional toll of studying abroad, Justice Gavai advised them to pursue foreign education only through scholarships, without burdening their families. He reminded them that “a foreign degree alone is not a stamp of your worth,” urging students to make informed decisions rather than succumbing to peer pressure or social expectations.
The Challenge of Returning Graduates
Justice Gavai spoke empathetically about the experiences of Indian students returning from abroad. While many come back with renewed passion and broader perspectives, they are often disheartened by the lack of support and the closed nature of Indian legal institutions. “This must change if you want to keep our best minds or bring them back,” he said, underlining the need to restore dignity and purpose to legal research and training in the country.
He called for academic institutions to offer transparent and merit-based opportunities and to build nurturing, inclusive environments that welcome new ideas.
Mentorship and Community: Keys to a Stronger Legal Profession
In a deeply personal moment, Justice Gavai reflected on the value of mentorship in his own journey. “I am here today not just because I worked hard. Yes, efforts mattered, but so did the fact that someone opened a door for me,” he said. He urged graduates to seek mentors not for their power but for their integrity—and to become mentors themselves in the future.
“That is how we build not just careers, but a community of care within the profession, one that uplifts, not one that intimidates,” he said.
A Noble Yet Demanding Profession
Acknowledging the difficulties of a legal career, Justice Gavai warned the fresh graduates that the path ahead would not be easy. “There is no straight path or guaranteed returns,” he said. The profession, he noted, is relentless in its demands—from courtrooms to clients to internal self-assessment.
He advised students to stay grounded in the basics of law and to pursue lifelong learning. “There is no shortcut to knowing the law,” he stated plainly.
Mental Health and Emotional Resilience
Justice Gavai was also forthright about the emotional toll the legal profession can take. He said the long hours, high expectations, and often ruthless work culture could lead to emotional isolation. “You will feel pressure not just to succeed, but also to appear to be successful. Many hide their struggles. I urge you not to. Find your community,” he advised.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The convocation was also attended by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Supreme Court Judge Justice P.S. Narasimha, and Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court, Justice Sujoy Paul, who presided over the event. Their presence underscored the importance of the occasion and lent further weight to Justice Gavai’s message.
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As the country grapples with the need for comprehensive judicial reform, CJI Gavai’s speech serves as a stark reminder of both the challenges and opportunities facing India’s legal landscape. It is a call to action for students, institutions, and policymakers alike—to not only imagine a better legal system but to take concrete steps toward achieving it.
