Justice Gavai had expressed his disappointment at the absence of senior state officials at a felicitation event held in his honour on May 18 during his first visit to his home state after taking over as Chief Justice of India, saying “every organ of the Constitution must…give its due respect to the other”.

Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, and Mumbai Police Commissioner P Deven Bharti were present when he visited Chaitya Bhoomi to pay tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar. They are reported to have expressed regret to the CJI and also accompanied him till the airport on his way back.