New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday attended the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who was sworn in as the 50th Chief Justice of India (CJI). The solemn event was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office.
Justice Gavai succeeds outgoing Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and will serve as the head of the Indian judiciary for a brief but significant tenure. Notably, Justice Gavai is the second Dalit CJI in India’s history, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, and the first from Maharashtra in over two decades.
Prime Minister Modi’s presence at the ceremony highlighted the importance of the occasion. Several top dignitaries, including Union ministers, Supreme Court judges, and senior legal luminaries, were also in attendance.
Justice Gavai, known for his expertise in constitutional and administrative law, brings decades of judicial experience to the top post. Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019, he served as a judge of the Bombay High Court.
The new Chief Justice is expected to oversee key constitutional benches and play a pivotal role in judicial reforms and digitization of courts during his tenure. His appointment is seen as a step toward ensuring greater representation and inclusivity in the Indian judiciary.
