Justice BR Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, 2025, at 10 am. He replaces Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired as the 51st CJI on May 13.
Justice Gavai is the second person from the Dalit community and the first Buddhist to hold the esteemed position of Chief Justice. The first Dalit CJI was KG Balakrishnan, who served from 2007 to 2010. Justice Gavai will serve as CJI for six months, retiring in November 2025.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai initially aspired to be an architect but chose law to fulfill his father’s wish. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a prominent Ambedkarite leader, founder of the Republican Party of India, and served as a Member of Parliament and Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala. Justice Gavai followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in law, joining the Bar in 1985 and later becoming a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2005.
Justice Gavai was appointed to the Supreme Court of India in 2019, having served for 16 years as a High Court judge. Throughout his time at the Supreme Court, he was part of around 700 benches, delivering judgments on a wide range of issues, including constitutional law, criminal law, and civil disputes. Notably, he authored about 300 judgments and participated in significant cases involving fundamental rights, human rights, and legal safeguards against arbitrary arrests, particularly in cases involving stringent laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Justice Gavai was instrumental in landmark rulings, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the scrapping of the electoral bonds scheme, and the sub-classification of the Scheduled Caste quota. He also played a key role in the demonetisation case and in addressing issues concerning judicial accountability and free speech.
In his early tenure as CJI, Justice Gavai is set to hear crucial cases, including one challenging amendments to the Waqf Act. His tenure is expected to focus on addressing several high-profile cases and ensuring legal transparency, as the country anticipates his leadership in safeguarding the rule of law.
Justice Gavai’s brother, Dr Rajendra Gavai, is also involved in politics, aligning with the Congress Party, though Justice Gavai has maintained a neutral stance in his judicial role.
