Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has taken the oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He will hold this prestigious position until November 23. During his tenure, Chief Justice Gavai will address pivotal cases, including the Waqf case. Significantly, he is the first Chief Justice from the Buddhist faith and the second from a Scheduled Caste background.
The appointment of Justice Gavai as Chief Justice is both historic and symbolic. It represents the values of inclusivity and constitutional ethics championed by the judiciary. As Chief Justice until November 23, 2025, he is expected to not only lead with decisive judgments but also to build a heritage eagerly awaited by all.
Part of Constitution Benches
In his six-year tenure in the Supreme Court, Justice Gavai has been an integral part of several important benches delivering landmark decisions, including those condemning bulldozer actions and setting stringent guidelines to control such practices.
Justice Gavai was on the constitution benches validating the abrogation of Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir, declaring the electoral bond scheme unconstitutional, and upholding the constitutionality of the 2016 demonetization.
Source: aajtak
Under Justice Gavai's leadership, a bench granted bail to Manish Sisodia of the Aam Aadmi Party in a money laundering case, thereby setting a precedent for other accused. Similarly, he ordered a stay on the conviction in the 'Modi surname' case involving Rahul Gandhi and granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad regarding the 2002 Godhra riots.
Started Law Practice in 1985
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice BR Gavai began his legal practice on March 16, 1985. He practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990 and later served in its Nagpur Bench. He was the permanent counsel for Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University. From August 1992 to July 1993, he served as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench.
He was appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000. On November 14, 2003, he became an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court, and was made a permanent judge on November 12, 2005.
Justice Gavai has adjudicated various matters across the principal seat at Mumbai and benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji. On May 24, 2019, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Participated in 700 Benches
According to the Supreme Court's website, Justice Gavai has contributed to around 700 benches over six years, addressing diverse legal areas such as constitutional and administrative law, civil, criminal, commercial disputes, arbitration, electricity law, education, and environmental issues.
He has authored approximately 300 judgments, many from constitution benches that safeguard the rule of law and protect citizens' fundamental, human, and legal rights.
