Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai to Take Oath as Chief Justice of India on May 14
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai to Take Oath as Chief Justice of India on May 14
Justice Gavai will be the second Dalit to hold the position, following Justice K.G. Balakrishnan.
New Delhi, April 16, 2025: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to take the oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is due to retire on May 13. The appointment follows the customary procedure, with the outgoing Chief Justice recommending his successor to the Union Law Ministry. Justice Gavai’s elevation marks a significant milestone in the Indian judiciary, as he will be only the second Dalit to assume the role of Chief Justice, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who held the position from 2007 to 2010.
A Distinguished Legal Career
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai embarked on his legal journey by enrolling as an advocate in 1985. He began his practice at the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench, focusing on constitutional and administrative law. Over the years, he held various significant positions, including Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor, and later as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench.
In November 2003, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court and became a permanent judge in 2005. His tenure at the High Court was marked by his involvement in diverse cases, contributing to the legal landscape of Maharashtra.
Justice Gavai’s elevation to the Supreme Court came in May 2019, following the government’s clearance of the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation. His appointment was noteworthy as it reintroduced representation from the Scheduled Caste community in the apex court, a representation that had been absent for nearly a decade after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan’s retirement in 2010.
A Legacy of Advocacy for Social Justice
Throughout his career, Justice Gavai has been a staunch advocate for social justice and individual rights. He has often credited Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for his rise to the top, acknowledging that it is due to Ambedkar’s efforts that someone from his background could attain such a position. In a 2024 event marking Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Justice Gavai remarked, “It is solely due to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s efforts that someone like me, who studied in a semi-slum area at a municipal school, could attain this position.”
His commitment to legal reform and social equity has been evident in his judgments and public statements, reflecting a deep understanding of the transformative potential of the Indian Constitution.
Looking Ahead
Justice Gavai is set to serve as Chief Justice for approximately six months, as he is scheduled to retire in November 2025. His tenure, though brief, is expected to influence the judicial direction of the Supreme Court, particularly in areas concerning constitutional interpretation and social justice.
As India approaches the swearing-in ceremony on May 14, the legal community and the public await the leadership and vision that Justice Gavai will bring to the highest court in the country.