New Delhi, Sept. 6 -- Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai on Friday underscored the judiciary's dual role as both a guardian of constitutional values and a catalyst for social reform, stressing that courts are not confined to black-letter law but are tasked with interpreting justice in light of contemporary challenges. Delivering a keynote address in Kathmandu on the theme "Evolving Role of Judiciary with particular focus on jurisprudential developments and justice sector reforms undertaken by the Supreme Court of India", the CJI said the judiciary functions as a bridge between aspirations of the people and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. "It is tasked not only with resolving disputes but also with ensuring that the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity are upheld in practice". Tracing the expansion of judicial functions in India, he noted that the traditional role of courts was understood as strict application of statutory provisions. "Today, however, the judiciary is increasingly called upon to go beyond mere textual application, engaging with the deeper purposes and consequences of the law. Over the decades, this proactive role has become central to the judiciary's identity," he remarked. CJI Gavai singled out the basic structure doctrine, propounded in Kesavananda Bharati (1973), as a defining contribution of the Supreme Court to constitutional jurisprudence, noting that it has inspired constitutional courts in other countries as well. He also highlighted the court's recognition of new rights flowing from Article 21, citing its expansion of the right to privacy into domains such as personal autonomy, dignity, marriage choice and reproductive rights. "Affirmative action must continue to evolve to benefit the most marginalised among the marginalised," the CJI said recalling his own judgment in the case that called for excluding the creamy layer within SCs. Acknowledging the strides made by Nepal's SC in gender justice, environment and indigenous peoples' rights, he expressed appreciation for cross-learning between the two countries' judiciaries....