Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Wednesday, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office.
Marking the beginning of his tenure, Justice Gavai took the oath of affirmation in Hindi. He succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna and will serve as the head of the judiciary until November 23, 2025, completing a term of a little over six months.
Ceremony Attended by the Nation’s Top Leaders
The swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan saw the presence of key figures in Indian politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal were in attendance, along with several other Union Cabinet ministers. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and former President Ram Nath Kovind also participated in the formal event, highlighting the significance of this judicial appointment.
A Milestone for Representation
Justice Gavai’s elevation holds deep symbolic importance. He is only the second person from the Scheduled Caste community to hold the position of Chief Justice of India, following Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served from 2007 to 2010. He comes from a distinguished background—his father, the late R.S. Gavai, was a veteran politician, serving as Governor of Bihar, Kerala, and Sikkim, and was a senior leader of the Republican Party of India (Gavai faction).
A Steady Climb Through the Legal Ladder
Justice Gavai began his legal journey in 1985, training under the late Raja S. Bhonsale, who was then the Advocate General and later a judge of the Bombay High Court. In 1987, Gavai started his independent legal practice at the Bombay High Court, steadily rising through the ranks with a reputation for diligence and legal insight. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.
Key Judicial Contributions
During his time on the Supreme Court bench, Justice Gavai has contributed to several landmark rulings. One of the most significant came in December 2023, when he was part of a five-judge Constitution bench that upheld the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The judgment was unanimous and remains a pivotal moment in recent constitutional history.
Looking Ahead
Though his tenure as CJI is relatively brief, Justice Gavai steps into the role at a critical time for India’s judiciary. With several constitutional and societal issues pending before the court, his leadership will play a key role in shaping the legal discourse in the months to come.
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