Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai recently visited Bikaner, Rajasthan, where he was seen enjoying a camel cart ride alongside Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The event, captured in a widely circulated video, showcased a lighter side of the legal dignitaries as they embraced the local culture.
The CJI's visit to Bikaner was primarily to attend a seminar commemorating 75 years of the Indian Constitution and honoring the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The event brought together prominent legal figures, including Supreme Court Justice Vijay Bishnoi. During the seminar, CJI Gavai spoke about the importance of the Constitution and paid tribute to Amrita Devi, who sacrificed her life for environmental protection. He also acknowledged Justice Vijay Bishnoi as the first Supreme Court judge from the Bishnoi community.
During his visit, CJI Gavai also took the opportunity to experience local culture and initiatives. He sampled camel milk sweets at a stall set up by the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) and learned about various camel milk products. He was also briefed on "Panch Gaurav," a district initiative. A local resident, Girdhar Vyas, amused the CJI by displaying his 14-foot-long moustache during the welcome ceremony. Additionally, the CJI inspected the Mega Legal Services Camp-2025 organized by the District Legal Services Authority at Maharaja Ganga Singh University campus.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the visit also highlighted a long-standing local issue. Lawyers in Bikaner have been advocating for the establishment of a High Court bench in the city, citing the significant distance to the Jodhpur High Court for residents of Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, and Churu districts. This distance adds financial burden and delays the justice process. Although expectations were high that CJI Gavai might announce the establishment of a bench, no such announcement was made.
During the seminar, lawyers raised slogans demanding a High Court bench. CJI Gavai responded that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Chief Justice of the state. He noted that the current Chief Justice of Rajasthan is retiring next month and he would convey the demand to the incoming Chief Justice. He referenced the establishment of a High Court bench in Kolhapur, which resulted from discussions between the Chief Justice and the state government, with his involvement limited to the inauguration.
The lawyers had hoped that Meghwal's presence, along with CJI Gavai's visit, would signal progress on the bench issue. Meghwal had previously hinted at progress regarding the High Court Bench in Bikaner, stating that the CJI's visit indicated advancement on the matter. This statement had fueled speculation and anticipation within the legal community.
CJI Gavai also addressed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Supreme Court, noting that AI is being used to translate court decisions into various regional languages to make them accessible to a wider audience. He also acknowledged the contributions of Bikaner to the making of the Constitution, mentioning Jaswant Singh Daudsar, a member of the Constituent Assembly from Bikaner.
