Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Wednesday, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at a solemn ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Key Highlights:
- Tenure: Justice Gavai will serve as CJI for a little over six months, with his tenure ending on November 23, 2025.
- Historical Significance:
- He is the second Chief Justice from the Scheduled Caste community, after Justice KG Balakrishnan, who retired in 2010.
- He is also the first Buddhist to hold the office of Chief Justice of India, marking a significant milestone in the judiciary’s representation.
Ceremony & Dignitaries Present:
The high-profile ceremony was attended by:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Union Ministers: Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, S. Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal, Arjun Ram Meghwal
- BJP President JP Nadda
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
- Former CJI Sanjiv Khanna
- Former President Ram Nath Kovind
- Supreme Court Judges: Justices Surya Kant, A.G. Masih, P.S. Narasimha, B.V. Nagarathna, Bela M. Trivedi, among others
Background:
Justice Gavai was elevated to the Supreme Court from the Bombay High Court on May 24, 2019. Over the years, he has delivered several significant judgments and has been known for his balanced approach and strong emphasis on constitutional values.
His appointment as CJI is seen as a landmark moment for inclusivity and diversity in the Indian judiciary, and he is expected to preside over crucial constitutional matters during his brief but potentially impactful tenure.
