Maharashtra Government Declares CJI Gavai State Guest, Issues Protocol Guidelines After Felicitation Row

After receiving flak from opposition leaders, the state government has issued official protocol guidelines to ensure proper decorum during the upcoming visit of the Chief Justice of India to Mumbai and other regions of the state.

Moreover, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has now been officially designated as a Permanent State Guest in Maharashtra. This status entitles the Chief Justice to all facilities under the State Guest Rules, including accommodation, transport, and security across the state during official visits.

According to the Maharashtra State Guest Rules, 2004, dignitaries who are declared or considered State Guests are entitled to formal reception and farewell arrangements. These protocols are managed by the State Protocol Subdivision at airports and by the District Collector’s office at the district level through designated protocol officers.

In Mumbai, the Chief Secretary or a senior representative, along with the Director General of Police or their senior representative, will receive the Chief Justice. In other districts, the District Collector and the Commissioner or Superintendent of Police, or their representatives, will carry out the reception.

As per a circular from the General Administration Department dated March 7, 2022, the department relevant to the purpose of the visit must appoint a liaison officer to coordinate arrangements. In Mumbai, this responsibility lies with the Law and Judiciary Department of the Maharashtra government, which will designate a Group-A level gazetted officer. In other districts, the respective district courts, in consultation with the District Collector, will appoint the liaison officer.

All relevant departments and officials have been instructed to strictly comply with these updated guidelines to ensure a smooth and dignified visit.

Opposition leaders have condemned the Maharashtra government’s failure to ensure the presence of senior state officials at a felicitation event for Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai. The CJI, on his first visit to his home state after assuming office on May 14, expressed his disappointment during the event held in Mumbai on Sunday.

Speaking at the felicitation program organized by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, CJI Gavai said, “We say that there are three pillars of democracy — judiciary, legislature, and executive — and that they are equal. Every organ of the Constitution must reciprocate and give its due respect to the other organs. A person from Maharashtra is coming to the state as Chief Justice of India for the first time. If Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary, the state’s Director General of Police, or the Mumbai Commissioner of Police do not feel it necessary to come, it is for them to think about.”

Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Nana Patole and UBT leader Ambadas Danve, criticized the state government, alleging that the incident reflects a deliberate attempt to insult CJI Gavai, who is known for his Ambedkarite ideology.