CJI Gavai: Chief Justice Not Superior to Other Supreme Court Judges, All Have Equal Judicial Powers

CJI B R Gavai on Tuesday emphasised that the Chief Justice is “first among equals” and holds the same judicial powers as other Supreme Court judges.

Hearing the ED’s plea to recall the April 26, 2023 ruling in Ritu Chhabaria (which upheld default bail despite incomplete chargesheets), CJI Gavai questioned whether a bench of equal strength could sit in appeal over another bench’s order merely because it sat in Court No. 1.

Stressing judicial propriety and discipline, he warned against such practice. 

The matter will be listed before a three-judge bench.