CJI B.R. Gavai, Chief Justice of India, along with 20 fellow judges, visits Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan

16 Sep, 2025

20 Supreme Court Judges Visit Ranthambore National Park

Recently, twenty judges of the Supreme Court of India, along with Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai, participated in a rare wildlife retreat at Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan. The judges, accompanied by their families, drove from Delhi to Taj Sawai Resort for a two-day trip for a wildlife expedition that took place between September 12 and 14. As per the reports, this was a self-funded SC judges’ trip to Ranthambore, where they all enjoyed safaris in Zone 6, followed by visiting the revered Shri Trinetra Ganesh temple in the park. This getaway is now viewed as a judicial collegiality retreat that allowed an opportunity for the judges to relax and spend time with one another as well as to have informal discussions and sharing of thoughts about wildlife and conservation.

A weekend in Ranthambore Reflecting Rarity

The recent retreat for Supreme Court judges at Ranthambore quickly caught public attention, as the tradition of such retreats in the history of the Indian Judiciary is almost non-existent. Including CJI BR Gavai, stepping away from the courtroom for leisure was altogether an exceptional moment.
In contrast to formal conferences or seminars, this trip was not premised on legal discussion or decision-making; it was rather rooted in taking a pause from endless hearings and casework to unwind.
For judges who are always seen in official capacities, setting out on such an independently funded trip to Ranthambore in two Volvo buses, dressed in totally different attire in tune with their wildlife mood, such as sporting hats and safari jackets was extremely newsworthy and new to the public eye.
The judges, through traveling together, carved out space for real collegiality, something that rarely occurs within the formal confines of the court.
This unique excursion provided a window for the judges to bond as colleagues and as individuals and, perhaps, offered a glimpse into the lighter side of the judiciary that the public rarely sees.

Beyond Courtrooms and within Ranthambore

Supreme Court Judges Visit Ranthambore Park

The judges' two-day sojourn at Ranthambore National Park combined leisure with quiet reflec Once inside the park, the group ventured through Zone 6 via safaris, which provided them glimpses of the famed wilderness of the park.
Additionally, the group also visited the prominent shrine, Shri Trinetra Ganesh Temple, positioned within the park, which added a spiritual dimension to their weekend getaway.
Although the experience had a sense of vacation vibe, it also functioned as a low-key retreat of judicial collegiality, where shared experiences, such as witnessing the wildlife and participating in temple observances and rituals, took place.
Overall, this Supreme Court recreation trip to Rajasthan helped nurture an uncommon sense of camaraderie among the judges and their families.

“All of us are together… some free time from the hustle bustle of the work and now we are with the beautiful nature… hope we get to see tigers,” -Mr. BR Gavai

Supreme Court Judges: Witnesses of the Wild

A two-day Supreme Court Retreat 2025, spearheaded by Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, served not only as a welcome break from the bench but also provided a meaningful glimpse into the human side of India’s top judiciary. In addition to the leisurely activities, the retreat included informal conversations on wildlife and conservation, which underscored their interest in the natural world. Overall, the Ranthambore legal fraternity trip was a perfect mix of professional camaraderie, self-funded family time, adventure, learning and taking notes. And now this distinct window into their private interests has massively added to their personalities outside of the courts and hearings. Interestingly, it ended up putting the radar on the judiciary and Ranthambore's conservation efforts into the spotlight, igniting conversations on how these visits can really help the park and its conservation practices.