New CJI begins 15-month tenure following significant constitutional verdicts.
A new chapter begins for the Indian judiciary today as Justice Surya Kant officially assumes the office of the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He takes over the reins from Justice BR Gavai, who completes his term this evening. The oath of office will be administered by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Justice Surya Kant’s tenure is set to be significant and stable, lasting nearly 15 months. He will lead the Supreme Court until his retirement on February 9, 2027, upon turning 65.
From Humble Beginnings to the Highest Court
Justice Kant’s journey to the apex of the country's legal system is a story of merit and determination. Born on February 10, 1962, in a village in the Hisar district of Haryana, he comes from a middle-class background with no prior family lineage in the legal profession. He built his career from the ground up, starting his practice in a small town before making his mark in the higher judiciary. His academic prowess was evident early on, notably securing a 'first class first' distinction during his Master’s in Law at Kurukshetra University in 2011.
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court starting in October 2018 and had a distinguished stint at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
A Legacy of Landmark Judgments
As a Supreme Court judge, the new CJI has been at the center of several high-impact rulings that have shaped national discourse. His judicial portfolio covers critical areas ranging from human rights to national security.
Most notably, Justice Kant was a member of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, a move that ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. He also played a crucial role in suspending the operation of the colonial-era sedition law, ordering a halt to new FIRs while the government reviews the legislation.
His stance on transparency and accountability is well-documented. In the Pegasus spyware controversy, he firmly stated that the government cannot use "national security" as a shield to avoid scrutiny. Furthermore, following a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab in 2022, he was instrumental in setting up a high-level probe panel led by Justice Indu Malhotra.
Focus on Social Justice and Reforms
Justice Kant has consistently championed the rights of the marginalized and women. He issued directives to reserve one-third of seats for women in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). In another instance of upholding grassroots democracy, he ordered the reinstatement of a female Sarpanch who had been illegally removed from her post.
His court has also addressed the welfare of defense personnel by upholding the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme, and he continues to adjudicate on petitions regarding permanent commissions for women officers in the armed forces.
As Justice Surya Kant takes the helm, the nation looks forward to a tenure marked by judicial clarity and continued constitutional reforms.
Image Source: India.Com
