New Delhi, May 17 -- Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Friday deprecated the decision of the Supreme Court Bar Association of not holding the usual farewell ceremony for retiring judge Justice Bela M Trivedi. "I must deprecate openly, because I believe in speaking plainly. The association (SCBA) ought not to have been such a stand," said the CJI while presiding over a ceremonial bench also comprising Justices Trivedi and Augustine George Masih.

The CJI, however, praised SCBA president and senior advocate Kapil Sibal and vice president Rachna Srivastava for their presence before it during the proceedings despite the bar body not holding the usual function for Justice Trivedi in the evening.

"I am grateful to Kapil Sibal and Rachna Srivast...