Welcome Remarks by the Consul General Shri Lavanya Kumar on the occasion of visit of the Chief Justice of India to the Milan Court of First Instance on 18 June 2025

 Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Shri B R Gavai

Mr Giuseppe Ondei, Hon’ble President of the Milan Court of Appeal,

Mr Fabio Roia, Hon’ble President of the Milan Court of First Instance,

Mr Antonino La Lumia, Hon’ble President of the Milan Bar, and

Mr Roberta Clerici, President of the Board of the Italian Chamber of International Lawyers, and

Other distinguished legal experts

Good evening.

It is a rare and distinguished honour for me to welcome the Chief Justice of India among us today.

As a Supreme Court judge, he was part of many impactful decisions at the Supreme Court. Hon’ble Chief Justice has authored around 300 judgments, including Constitution Bench rulings that uphold the rule of law and safeguard fundamental, human, and legal rights of citizens. Over his judicial career, he was part of around 700 Benches, handling a wide array of subjects from constitutional to environmental law. He had authored several important judgments of the Supreme Court.

Indian citizens repose great faith in the Supreme Court, as it stands as the Custodian of the Constitution. Through its several landmark judgements, it acted as the guardian of Fundamental Rights and liberties enshrined in the Constitution thereby promoting the welfare of individuals.

Although the Constitution lays the framework for the social and economic well-being of citizens, the Supreme Court has played a vital role in realising this through its interpretation of the Constitution, judicial review, and the use of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). It has acted as a catalyst for social change.

Having worked in the neighbouring countries of India, I often heard high praise for the Indian Constitution and the Supreme Court’s role in upholding it. Hearing such commendation always filled me with pride.

Who could be a better speaker than the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India to deliberate on the role of the Constitution in delivering socio-economic justice in India?

Thank you.

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