Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai took oath on Tuesday as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, marking a milestone in the nation’s judicial history. He is the first Buddhist and only the second judge from the Scheduled Castes to be appointed to the country's top judicial post.

His appointment is being hailed as a significant moment for social justice and constitutional values, reflecting the evolving inclusiveness of the Indian judiciary. Justice Gavai will serve as CJI until his scheduled retirement on November 23, 2025.

Known for his firm stance on rule of law and equity, Justice Gavai has been part of several critical decisions during his tenure at the Supreme Court. He was on benches that issued strong directives against the misuse of state machinery, particularly in cases involving illegal demolitions.

Justice Gavai was also part of Constitution Benches that delivered some of the most impactful rulings in recent times — including the validation of the abrogation of Article 370, the quashing of the controversial electoral bonds scheme, and the upholding of the Centre’s 2016 demonetisation initiative.

Among other notable judgments, a bench headed by Justice Gavai granted bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy, a ruling that influenced similar outcomes for co-accused. He also presided over the bench that paused Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case concerning the Modi surname, and granted regular bail to civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad in a case tied to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Early Career and Legal Journey

Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his legal career in 1985. After a brief period of independent practice in the Bombay High Court, he predominantly appeared before its Nagpur Bench.

Over the years, he held several important legal posts including Standing Counsel for the Nagpur and Amravati municipal corporations, and for Amravati University. Between 1992 and 1993, he served as an Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor, before being appointed Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor in 2000.

Justice Gavai was elevated to the Bombay High Court as an Additional Judge in November 2003 and was made a permanent judge in 2005. He served at various benches of the High Court, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.

He was appointed to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Judicial Contributions

During his six-year tenure at the apex court, Justice Gavai has been part of roughly 700 benches and has authored close to 300 judgments across diverse legal domains — spanning constitutional, civil, criminal, commercial, environmental, and administrative law.

His judicial work is widely regarded for upholding fundamental rights, protecting human dignity, and reinforcing constitutional mandates.

As he assumes the top judicial office, Justice Gavai carries with him a record of thoughtful jurisprudence and a legacy rooted in inclusiveness and legal integrity. All eyes will now be on how he shapes the course of Indian judiciary during his tenure as Chief Justice.