Protocol violation issue trivial, should be put to rest: CJI Gavai

MUMBAI: After CJI B R Gavai pointed out protocol lapses during his visit to Mumbai Sunday, the state govt has issued guidelines to ensure adherence to official decorum during CJI's visit to the state. Neither the chief secretary nor the DGP or Mumbai police chief had turned up when Gavai arrived here.

CJI has now been officially designated as a permanent state guest.

Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa has sent a resolution to Bombay HC chief justice and CM seeking "action against erring officers" to ensure the dignity of the system is restored.

Absence of top Maharashtra officials at an event to felicitate Justice B R Gavai, on his first visit to his home state after becoming CJI, had miffed the country's top judge but he said on Tuesday that the "trivial issue" should be put to rest as the officials concerned had expressed regret.

In a press release, SC said, "News items are being published in the media regarding protocol issues during the visit of the CJI to Maharashtra. All concerned have already expressed regrets. The CJI has expressed that a trivial issue should not be blown out of proportion and has requested everyone that the matter be given a quietus."

CJI Gavai had visited Mumbai on May 18 for a felicitation function and said, "A person from Maharashtra is coming to the state as CJI for the first time. If Maharashtra chief secretary, DGP and Mumbai Police commissioner do not feel it necessary to come, it is for them to think about it."

Later, chief secretary Sujata Saunik, DGP Rashmi Shukla & Mumbai Police commissioner P Deven Bharti were present when CJI visited Chaitya Bhoomi to pay tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar.