New Delhi, May 12 -- Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who will assume office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, believes the credibility of the judiciary must be "enhanced", particularly in the wake of the episode involving former Delhi high court judge Yashwant Varma. In a candid conversation ahead of his six-month tenure at the helm, the CJI-designate addressed a range of contentious issues - from allegations of nepotism in judicial appointments to attacks on the judiciary from other constitutional authorities - and underlined the need to uphold the dignity of the institution above all else. Referring to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, justice Gavai asserted that the Supreme Court cannot remain a passive bystander in times of national crisis. "The credibility of the judiciary has to be enhanced. Black sheep are everywhere.We have around 900 judges, but yes, there are issues that need to be addressed because the judiciary is the institution that commands the last hope and faith of the people in the country," he said. On the justice Varma episode, he was clear: "The CJI (Justice Sanjiv Khanna) took immediate steps." In a conversation with HT, justice Gavai emphasised that the Supreme Court cannot remain indifferent in moments of national crisis, as he condemned the Pahalgam attack. "When the country is in danger, the Supreme Court can't be aloof, we are part of the country," said justice Gavai, adding that the court was "stunned" upon hearing of the tragedy. With CJI Khanna abroad at the time, justice Gavai convened a full court meeting and, with the CJI's permission, the Supreme Court observed two minutes of silence to honour the victims -- a rare gesture. Traditionally, the apex court observes silence only once a year on January 30, to mark Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. In recent months, tensions have simmered between the judiciary and other branches of government. Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar criticised the judiciary for acting as a "super Parliament," while BJP MP Nishikant Dubey recently accused CJI Sanjiv Khanna of fomenting civil war -- remarks that the apex court termed "irresponsible" but did not act upon....