Justice BR Gavai takes oath as 52nd Chief Justice of India; first Buddhist CJI

CJI BR Gavai's swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.

Updated on: May 14, 2025, 13:18:51 IST

By HT News Desk

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President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He took the oath of affirmation in Hindi.

Justice BR Gavai took over from former CJI Sanjiv Khanna. (ANI)

Justice Gavai, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, will have a tenure of over six months and will demit office on November 23.

"I pay my respects to Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar, who have been the guiding lights for our nation and our Constitution," Justice Gavai said after his swearing-in.

CJI BR Gavai swearing-in ceremony: Key figures in attendance

His swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, defence Minister Rajnath Singh, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and several other union cabinet ministers.

Also Read | Justice BR Gavai: India’s 52nd CJI shaped by life, legal experience

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and former President of India Ram Nath Kovind were also present.

Justice Gavai, who took over from former CJI Sanjiv Khanna, is the son of the late RS Gavai, a former Governor of Bihar, Kerala, and Sikkim, and a veteran leader of the Republican Party of India (Gavai faction).

Justice Gavai is the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who served between 2007 and 2010.

Also Read | Justice BR Gavai sworn in: Next CJI's mother credits ‘hard work, determination’ for success

A look at CJI BR Gavai's legal career

Gavai began his legal career in 1985. He initially worked with the late Raja S Bhonsale, former Advocate General and High Court Judge, before starting independent practice at the Bombay High Court in 1987.

Also Read | Won’t accept any post after retirement: CJI Sanjiv Khanna on last day in office

CJI Gavai has also been a part of several Constitution benches in the apex court, which delivered path-breaking verdicts.

He was part of a five-judge Constitution bench which, in December 2023, unanimously upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370, bestowing special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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