CJI Justice BR Gavai: Justice BR Gavai became the 52nd CJI of India, President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath

Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:26 am

Justice BR Gavai Sworn In as India's 52nd Chief Justice

India has a new Chief Justice! Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai (BR Gavai) was sworn in today as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office and secrecy at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a significant moment for the Indian judiciary. Justice Gavai succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

Justice Gavai's appointment is particularly noteworthy. He is the first Buddhist to hold the position and the second person from the Scheduled Caste community to become CJI, following Justice KG Balakrishnan. This appointment underscores the importance of diversity and representation within the highest echelons of the Indian legal system.

Justice Gavai's tenure, though impactful, will be relatively short, as he is scheduled to retire on November 23, 2025. His swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, in 1960, Justice Gavai has a distinguished legal career. He began practicing law in 1985 and later served as an advocate, government pleader, and judge in the Bombay High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. He is known for his involvement in several landmark cases. Notably, he was part of the bench that struck down the controversial 2018 electoral bond scheme. He also presided over cases involving prominent figures like Prabir Purkayastha and Manish Sisodia. In a recent ruling, a bench led by Justice Gavai declared that demolishing citizens' properties without due process violates the rule of law.

BNN's Perspective: Justice Gavai's appointment is a positive step towards greater inclusivity in the judiciary. While his tenure is brief, his experience and the cases he has presided over suggest a commitment to upholding the rule of law and addressing critical social and political issues. His background adds a unique perspective to the highest court in the land.

Keywords: Justice BR Gavai, CJI, Chief Justice of India, Draupadi Murmu, oath, Supreme Court, India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Buddhist, Scheduled Caste, electoral bonds, Prabir Purkayastha, Manish Sisodia, rule of law, judiciary, legal, appointment, Maharashtra, Amravati, Narendra Modi, Jagdeep Dhankhar.

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