New Delhi l
President Droupadi Murmu has officially appointed Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He will assume office on May 14, 2025, following the retirement of the current CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on May 13.
The announcement was confirmed by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who stated on the social media platform X:
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai… as the Chief Justice of India with effect from May 14, 2025.”
Brief Tenure with Historic Significance
Justice Gavai, currently the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court after CJI Khanna, was recommended for the post on April 16 as per established judicial tradition. He will serve a six-month term until December 23, 2025, when he turns 65, the retirement age for Supreme Court judges.
His appointment is historically significant—he becomes only the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste community, after Justice KG Balakrishnan (2007–2010).
Who Is Justice BR Gavai?
- Born: November 24, 1960
- Hometown: Amravati, Maharashtra
- Legal Career Began: 1985
Justice Gavai began his career under the mentorship of former Advocate General and High Court judge Raja S Bhonsale, later starting independent practice in the Bombay High Court in 1987.
He gained recognition in Constitutional and Administrative Law, representing key public institutions including:
- Municipal Corporations of Nagpur and Amravati
- Amravati University
- State-run enterprises like SICOM and DCVL
His government service roles included:
- Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor (1992)
- Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor (2000)
Justice Gavai was elevated to the Bombay High Court as an Additional Judge in 2003 and became a Permanent Judge in 2005, serving across benches in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.
He was appointed to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
With more than 40 years of legal experience, Justice Gavai’s appointment marks a milestone in the judiciary’s continued efforts to reflect diversity and constitutional integrity at the highest level.
