In a significant development for the Indian judiciary, Supreme Court Judge Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). The appointment, announced by Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, was made by President Droupadi Murmu and will be effective from May 14, 2025. Justice Gavai will succeed the current CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, whose tenure ends on May 13, 2025.
Key Fact: Justice Gavai will be the second CJI from the Scheduled Caste community, following Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served as CJI from 2007 to 2010.
About Justice B.R. Gavai
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai has had a distinguished legal career spanning over four decades. Here are some key highlights of his journey:
- Early Career: Joined the Bar on March 16, 1985, and initially worked with Raja S. Bhonsale, a former Advocate General and High Court Judge. He practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990, focusing on Constitutional and Administrative Law.
- Legal Representations: Served as Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporations of Nagpur and Amravati, Amravati University, and state-run corporations like SICOM and DCVL.
- Judicial Roles: Appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court in August 1992. Later, he became Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor in 2000.
- High Court Tenure: Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and became a Permanent Judge on November 12, 2005. He served at the High Court’s benches in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.
- Supreme Court Elevation: Elevated as a Supreme Court Judge on May 24, 2019, where he has been part of several landmark judgments.
Tenure as Chief Justice
Justice Gavai’s tenure as CJI will span approximately six months, concluding on November 23, 2025, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 for Supreme Court judges. His appointment follows the established convention where the senior-most Supreme Court judge is named as the successor to the outgoing CJI.
Landmark Judgments
Justice Gavai has been part of several significant rulings during his tenure at the Supreme Court, which are crucial for competitive exam aspirants to note:
- Article 370 Abrogation (2023): Part of the five-judge Constitution Bench that unanimously upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
- Demonetisation (2016): Authored the majority opinion upholding the 2016 demonetisation scheme, affirming the Union government’s authority and stating that the scheme met the test of proportionality.
- Electoral Bonds Scheme: Part of the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional, a landmark verdict on political funding transparency.
- Bulldozer Demolitions: Ruled that demolishing properties of accused individuals without due process is unconstitutional, criticizing the “bulldozer culture” and emphasizing the rule of law.
- Sub-classification of Scheduled Castes: Part of a seven-judge Constitution Bench that upheld the states’ authority to sub-classify Scheduled Castes for targeted reservations, advocating the application of the “creamy layer” principle.
Significance for Competitive Exams
The appointment of Justice B.R. Gavai as CJI is a vital topic for current affairs sections in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC. Questions may focus on:
- The appointment process of the CJI as per the Memorandum of Procedure.
- Notable judgments delivered by Justice Gavai.
- The significance of his appointment as the second Scheduled Caste CJI.
- Key constitutional provisions related to the judiciary, such as Article 124 (appointment of Supreme Court judges).
Exam Preparation Tips
1. Memorize Key Facts: Note the date of appointment (May 14, 2025), tenure (six months), and Justice Gavai’s position as the 52nd CJI.
2. Understand the Context: Read about the landmark judgments to answer application-based questions.
3. Revise Constitutional Provisions: Focus on Articles 124, 214, and 217 related to the judiciary for a comprehensive understanding.
4. Stay Updated: Follow GKboard.in for the latest current affairs updates tailored for competitive exams.