Justice BR Gavai takes oath as 52nd Chief Justice of India

NEW DELHI: Justice BR Gavai took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India ( CJI ) on Wednesday, becoming the first Buddhist to lead the nation's judicial system .

President Droupadi Murmu conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Justice Gavai, who has assumed the role following the retirement of CJI Sanjiv Khanna .

Also read: Will always strive for social, political justice: CJI-designate Gavai

He touched his mother's feet after oath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, ex-CJIs and judges of SC & HCs attended the ceremony.

#WATCH | Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu administers oath of office to Justice BR Gavai as the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

(Video Source: President of India/social media) pic.twitter.com/3J9xMbz3kw

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025

Justice Khanna retired on Tuesday as the 51st CJI after having held the top judgeship since November 11, 2024. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on January 18, 2019.

Who is Justice BR Gavai

• Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Justice B R Gavai is set to take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14.He began his legal career on March 16, 1985, and worked with the late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, former Advocate General and High Court Judge, until 1987.
• From 1987 to 1990, he established an independent practice at the Bombay high court. Subsequently, he primarily practised at the Nagpur Bench of Bombay high court. His expertise centred on Constitutional and Administrative Law.He served as Standing Counsel for various institutions including the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University.
• He regularly represented various autonomous organisations and corporations, including SICOM, DCVL, and numerous Municipal Councils across the Vidarbha region.He served as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench from August, 1992 to July, 1993.
• On January 17, 2000, he was appointed Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench. His elevation to Additional Judge of the High Court occurred on November 14, 2003.
• He was confirmed as a permanent Judge of the Bombay high court on November 12, 2005. He presided over various types of cases at the Principal Seat in Mumbai and at benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad and Panaji. Justice Gavai has presided over a wide range of cases at the Principal Bench in Mumbai, as well as at the benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji. His appointment as Supreme Court Judge took place on May 24, 2019.