India Gets First Buddhist CJI as Justice Gavai Takes Oath
Justice B.R. Gavai takes oath as 52nd Chief Justice of India, becoming the first Buddhist to lead the Supreme Court after Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s retirement.
image for illustrative purpose
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Wednesday, following the retirement of Justice Sanjiv Khanna. With this appointment, Justice Gavai becomes the first member of the Buddhist community to head the Supreme Court of India.
The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, as well as former Chief Justices and serving judges of the Supreme Court and various High Courts. Immediately after the oath, Justice Gavai sought blessings by touching his mother’s feet.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna demitted office on Tuesday after serving as the 51st CJI since November 11, 2024. He was elevated to the apex court on January 18, 2019.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his legal profession in March 1985. He initially trained under Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, a former Advocate General and later a judge of the High Court. In 1987, he launched his independent practice, focusing largely at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, with specialization in constitutional and administrative law.
Justice Gavai represented a range of public sector bodies including Nagpur and Amravati Municipal Corporations, Amravati University, and other local authorities across the Vidarbha region. He was appointed Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur Bench in August 1992, and by January 2000, he was elevated as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor.
His judicial career formally began when he was appointed an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003. He was made a permanent judge on November 12, 2005. Over his tenure, he served across the Principal Bench in Mumbai and benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji, presiding over matters of constitutional, civil, and criminal jurisdiction.
Justice Gavai was appointed to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019. His appointment as the Chief Justice of India marks a historic moment, reflecting increased representation in the judiciary.
