A senior court reporter has shared an interesting behind-the-scenes account of trying to interview former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi—an interaction that, by his own admission, is not always easy to turn into publishable news.
In the account, the reporter says many Supreme Court judges speak freely in private, but certain details cannot be reported because they could trigger major controversy. He notes that while new Chief Justices often meet the media—sometimes even “off the record”—Gogoi was an exception who avoided interviews altogether.
The reporter recalls receiving an unexpected call from the Supreme Court Registrar General, who told him that Gogoi respected his reporting and had invited him to the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath, and Gogoi—hailing from Assam—was described as the first Chief Justice from India’s Northeast.
Gogoi’s courtroom reputation is portrayed as firm and no-nonsense: he insisted on concise arguments, did not tolerate prolonged submissions, and could dismiss matters with a single word. At the same time, the reporter says, he was known for not delaying cases and for finishing hearings quickly.
Despite the invitation, the reporter says he still could not secure an interview for months. With the help of Gogoi’s secretary, he finally received a call asking him to come to the Chief Justice’s residence at 5 pm the next day—setting the stage for a rare, closely controlled interaction.
