MAY 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who has officially taken oath as the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. The ceremony, held in the national capital, marked a significant moment in the Indian judiciary as Justice Gavai assumes the highest judicial position in the country.
The oath of office was administered by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a solemn and dignified event. Several dignitaries including Union ministers, senior judges, legal luminaries, and government officials were present to witness the occasion.
Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to extend his congratulations and best wishes to the newly sworn-in Chief Justice. In his post, the Prime Minister wrote:Justice Gavai, who hails from Maharashtra, is known for his integrity, legal acumen, and deep understanding of constitutional law. His elevation is also historic, as he becomes only the second Dalit to hold the office of Chief Justice of India after Justice K. G. Balakrishnan. His appointment is being seen as a step toward greater representation and inclusivity in the higher judiciary.
Born in 1961, Justice Gavai enrolled as an advocate in 1985 and has served the Indian judiciary in various capacities for nearly four decades. He was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and later elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. Over the years, he has delivered several key judgments and has been a part of many Constitution Bench verdicts.
His tenure as the Chief Justice is expected to be marked by efforts to improve judicial efficiency, reduce the backlog of cases, and further technological integration in court proceedings.
The legal fraternity has welcomed his appointment, expressing optimism about his leadership and vision for a robust and inclusive justice delivery system.
Justice Gavai succeeds Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who demitted office upon reaching the retirement age.