New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Union Ministry of Law and Justice announced on Monday. Justice Gavai will assume office on May 14, succeeding incumbent Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Justice Gavai’s tenure as CJI will be brief, spanning just under six months, as he is scheduled to retire in November 2025. His appointment marks a significant moment in the judiciary, with him becoming only the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste community.
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Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his judicial career as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge in 2005. Over a span of 15 years, he served on benches in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji before being elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.
Justice Gavai is the son of R.S. Gavai, a noted social activist and former Governor of Bihar and Kerala. He is known for his legal acumen and inclusive approach to justice.
The appointment was formally shared on social media by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who extended his best wishes to Justice Gavai on behalf of the government. Justice Gavai’s short tenure is expected to focus on upholding institutional continuity and judicial efficiency during a politically and legally sensitive period in the country.