Justice BR Gavai Appointed 52nd Chief Justice of India
In a significant judicial development, President Droupadi Murmu has officially appointed Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Gavai will assume office on May 14, 2025, succeeding incumbent CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retires a day earlier on May 13.
This appointment holds historic importance as Justice Gavai becomes only the second person from the Scheduled Caste community to rise to the highest judicial position in India, following the tenure of Justice K.G. Balakrishnan. His elevation is seen as a progressive step toward promoting diversity and inclusion in the country’s judiciary.
Career Highlights of Justice BR Gavai
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his legal career in 1985 after obtaining his law degree. He initially worked under Advocate General Raja S. Bhonsale before starting his independent practice at the Bombay High Court in 1987.
Specializing in Constitutional and Administrative Law, Justice Gavai represented several civic and educational bodies, including Municipal Corporations of Nagpur and Amravati and Amravati University. His government service began in 1992 when he was appointed Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. In 2000, he rose to the position of Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor.
Justice Gavai was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and became a permanent judge two years later. Over his judicial career, he served across the court’s Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa benches. In 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India, where he has contributed significantly to several constitutional and administrative rulings.
Tenure Details and Responsibilities as CJI
Following protocol, Justice Sanjiv Khanna had recommended Justice Gavai’s name to the government earlier this month. Upon assuming office, Justice Gavai will serve as Chief Justice of India until December 23, 2025, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65.
As CJI, Justice Gavai will handle critical administrative and judicial responsibilities, including allocation of cases, formation of benches for constitutional matters, and overall management of the Supreme Court’s functioning. His tenure, though brief, is expected to have a strong emphasis on judicial efficiency and transparency.
The appointment of Justice Gavai marks a crucial moment for India’s judiciary, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to representation and inclusive governance at the highest levels.
