Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Kant, who succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai.
Justice Kant assumed the highest judicial office following the retirement of Justice Gavai. His tenure as the Chief Justice of India will extend until February 9, 2027, providing him with a substantial term of over 14 months to implement administrative reforms and steer the Supreme Court’s judicial agenda.
In a significant development for international judicial cooperation, the ceremony witnessed the presence of a delegation of judges from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Judicial Career and Elevation
Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana, Justice Kant’s legal journey began at the Hisar District Court in 1984. He later shifted his practice to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985, specializing in Constitutional, Service, and Civil matters.
He was appointed as the Advocate General of Haryana in July 2000, becoming the youngest person to hold the post. He was elevated as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. On October 5, 2018, he assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He was subsequently elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
Priorities: Pendency and Listing Reforms
Justice Kant assumes the office of CJI at a crucial juncture. He has previously indicated that tackling the backlog of cases across the Indian judiciary will be his “foremost priority.”
Emphasizing a litigant-centric approach, Justice Kant has observed, “People need judgments, they are not concerned about jurisprudence or something else. Give a reasoned order on whether relief is denied or allowed.”
Reports indicate that the new CJI plans to constitute Constitution Benches comprising five, seven, and nine judges in the coming weeks to adjudicate long-pending questions of law. Additionally, strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, particularly mediation, is expected to be a key focus area to reduce the burden on the courts.
Notable Judicial Interventions
During his tenure as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Kant has led benches on several critical matters:
- Electoral Integrity: A bench led by Justice Kant heard petitions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, reinforcing the Election Commission’s mandate to ensure accurate enumeration.
- Cyber Crime & “Digital Arrests”: Taking suo motu cognizance of the rising menace of “digital arrest” scams, his bench recently issued notices to all States and Union Territories, seeking data on FIRs to formulate a cohesive legal response.
- Social Media Responsibility: Justice Kant has taken a firm stand on the accountability of social media influencers. In a recent matter, he remarked that freedom of speech entails duty, noting that content causing societal embarrassment or reflecting a “pervert mind” would be dealt with strictly.
- Human Rights & Prison Reform: As a High Court judge, he delivered a landmark verdict in the Jasvir Singh case, directing the formation of a Jail Reforms Committee and recognizing the right of inmates to conjugal visits as a facet of the fundamental right to life.
Expectations from the Bar
The legal fraternity looks forward to Justice Kant’s tenure bringing stability and expedited disposal of cases. A significant number of advocates from the Hisar District Bar Association were present in the capital to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
