Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) today at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Kant, marking the commencement of his tenure at the helm of the Indian judiciary. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with several Union Ministers.
Justice Kant succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai, who retired yesterday. He is expected to serve a term of approximately 15 months, retiring on February 9, 2027, upon reaching the age of 65.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant has had an illustrious career marked by his expertise in Constitutional, Service, and Civil matters. He began his legal practice in 1985 and served as the Advocate General of Haryana from 2000, becoming the youngest to hold the position. In 2004, he was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Before being appointed to the Supreme Court in May 2019, Justice Kant served as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh from 2018.
During his tenure at the Supreme Court, Justice Kant has been a part of numerous landmark cases, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the Constitution and delivering justice. He was a member of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. He was also part of the bench that directed the states and the Centre to not register new FIRs under Section 124A of the IPC, effectively putting the sedition law on hold pending government review.
Justice Kant's contributions extend to various other significant matters. He was on the bench that directed the Election Commission to disclose details regarding the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. He upheld the constitutionality of the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme. Justice Kant was also involved in the Pegasus spyware case, where the court established a technical committee to investigate the allegations of government surveillance. He was also a part of the seven-judge bench that overturned the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University ruling, paving the way for a fresh examination of the university's minority status.
Justice Kant has addressed critical issues related to corruption, emphasizing its detrimental impact on governance and public trust. In 2023, he ordered the CBI to investigate 28 cases exposing a nexus between banks and developers that defrauded homebuyers. He has also championed gender justice, directing that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.
His commitment to fundamental rights is evident in his stance on freedom of speech and internet access. Justice Kant was part of the bench that ruled that indefinite internet suspension is not allowed, recognizing internet access as a part of freedom of speech. He has also cautioned against the misuse of freedom of speech, emphasizing responsibility in public remarks.
Justice Kant's appointment comes at a time when the Supreme Court faces a significant backlog of cases. His tenure is expected to focus on reducing this backlog and promoting "swadeshi jurisprudence" in constitutional matters. He has stated his commitment to deciding cases based on facts and law, remaining unfazed by social media pressures.
While assuming the office of CJI, Justice Surya Kant brings with him a distinguished record, marked by his contributions to significant constitutional rulings, his commitment to justice, and his focus on social empathy and institutional accountability.
