NEW DELHI: Sitting Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath on Tuesday shared a rare, lighthearted look behind the courtroom curtain, revealing that he and former Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai had been affectionately nicknamed "Amar Prem" by members of the Bar during their tenure as regular bench partners.
The playful moniker, borrowed from the cult 1994 Bollywood comedy Andaz Apna Apna, was a testament to the strong professional rapport and seamless camaraderie the two jurists displayed while presiding together over the country's top court.
The disclosure was made during a speech at the Vice-President's Enclave, where Justice Nath was attending the launch of a new volume chronicling the former CJI's public addresses, titled "The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks".
A Shared Chemistry on the Bench
Reflecting on their time sharing the Bench, Justice Nath expressed deep gratitude for the affection shown by the legal fraternity. He noted that the unique dynamic between himself and Justice Gavai was widely recognized—and frequently celebrated—by the advocates appearing before them.
"Many of you would remember the period when we sat together as bench partners," Justice Nath told the gathering of judges, senior advocates, and legal scholars. "Those were truly memorable days, and I still hear members of the Bar recalling them with great affection."
He confirmed that both judges were well aware of their cinematic nickname and took it in stride. "We were affectionately christened 'Amar Prem', borrowing from the master film Andaz Apna Apna. It was all in good humour, and I must confess we quite enjoyed the title."
Demystifying the Courtroom Atmosphere
Justice Nath emphasized that the nickname was a direct reflection of Justice Gavai's distinct judicial temperament. A Supreme Court courtroom is traditionally perceived as an intimidating arena, particularly for younger lawyers moving their first items or presenting complex legal arguments.
However, Justice Nath highlighted how his former bench partner managed to alleviate that stress through structural empathy:
- Humanizing the Process: Justice Gavai possessed a unique ability to bring a sense of ease to tense litigation without ever diluting the gravity or seriousness of the legal questions at hand.
- Inclusivity in Practice: His wit and characteristic approachability ensured that every practitioner—from a raw junior counsel to the most senior member of the Bar—felt legitimately heard.
- Balanced Discipline: The partnership demonstrated that courtroom courtesy, compassion, and a touch of good humor are entirely consistent with strict procedural firmness and institutional discipline.
Speeches as a Window into Judicial Morality
Turning to the text of the newly released book, which was edited by Senior Professor S. Sivakumar and published by Thomson Reuters, Justice Nath noted that the compilation fills a vital gap in understanding the minds of the judiciary.
While formal court judgments are strictly bound to the disciplined, precise, and often rigid language of statutory law, Justice Nath argued that a judge’s public speeches provide a much richer exposition of their underlying character. Public addresses, he remarked, reveal far more about a judge's foundational values, institutional beliefs, and the broader social order they hope to help build.
The book launch was presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and officially released by the Vice-President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, with senior law officers including the Attorney General and Solicitor General in attendance.
Discription: At a recent book launch in New Delhi, Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath shared a lighthearted glimpse into judicial camaraderie, revealing that he and former Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai were affectionately nicknamed "Amar Prem" by members of the Bar. The moniker, borrowed from the iconic Bollywood comedy Andaz Apna Apna, celebrated the seamless chemistry and mutual rapport the two jurists shared while sitting as bench partners. Speaking at the release of Justice Gavai’s new book, The Voice of Justice, Justice Nath praised his former partner’s unique judicial temperament. He noted that Justice Gavai’s characteristic wit and warmth effectively humanized an intimidating courtroom environment, proving that compassion and courtesy can seamlessly coexist with institutional discipline.