New CJI Vows to Prioritize Social Justice and Reduce Case Backlogs
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India today morning, succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna who retired yesterday. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to 64-year-old Justice Gavai at the ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers, former Chief Justices of India, sitting and retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Justice Gavai is the first Buddhist CJI and the second Dalit to assume the post in the 75-year history of the Supreme Court. He has a tenure of six months and nine days as CJI until his retirement on November 23, 2025. During an informal interaction with the media, Justice Gavai expressed his commitment to social and political justice, aiming to appoint more women judges and ensure diverse community representation in constitutional courts.
Justice Gavai's top priority is to tackle the backlog of cases in the Supreme Court. He has already started working on categorization and plans to fill judicial vacancies promptly to address the issue of pendency. Emphasizing the importance of upholding the dignity of the court and judges, Justice Gavai stated that there will be no compromise if anyone undermines them.
Regarding the recent Indo-Pak conflict, Justice Gavai highlighted the judiciary's role in times of national crisis, affirming the Supreme Court's solidarity with the country. He refrained from commenting directly on the ceasefire but emphasized the futility of war, citing the destruction caused by conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.
Justice Gavai's oath-taking ceremony coincided with Buddha Purnima, a significant day for the Buddhist community. His family's long-standing connection to Buddhism played a crucial role in shaping his values and beliefs. His predecessor, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, recommended Justice Gavai for the position following established norms.
