Newly elected Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Pradeep Rai on Wednesday described Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as a “father figure” for the Bar, assuring the CJI that the newly elected executive committee would work under his guidance and focus on better coordination between the Bar and the Bench.

The exchange took place when CJI Surya Kant congratulated Rai and the newly elected SCBA Executive Committee. Responding, Rai said the new SCBA leadership was committed to strengthening the relationship between the Bar and the Bench.

The CJI, in turn, assured the new SCBA leadership that the aspirations and legitimate expectations of the Bar would be respected. He also welcomed the prospect of younger members of the Bar taking up responsibilities at the Supreme Court.

Rai responded, “Your Lordship is like a father figure... We will abide by your Lordship's guidance. Your Lordship always guides us."

The light-hearted exchange then drew a humorous intervention from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who said, “Your Lordships are not so old that we can call [you a] father figure... Your Lordships are karta of the HUF[Hindu Undivided Family],” Mehta remarked.

“We all are coparceners!”, the CJI responded.

The results of the SCBA elections were declared yesterday night. While Pradeep Rai was elected the President, Senior Advocate Rahul Kaushik became the Vice President. Advocates Pragya Baghel, Muneesh Dubey and Reepak Kansal are the Secretary, Joint Secretary and the Treasurer respectively.