NEWS – Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has nominated Justice B R Gavai as his successor.

HIGHLIGHT

• Justice Gavai is currently the second senior-most judge in the Supreme Court.
• CJI Khanna wrote to the Union government recommending Justice Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.
• Justice Khanna is set to retire on May 13, 2025.
• If approved, Justice Gavai will take oath on May 14, 2025, and serve until November 23, 2025.

Historic Significance

• Justice Gavai would become the second Dalit Chief Justice of India, after Justice K G Balakrishnan.

Personal Background

• Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati.
• Son of R S Gavai, a prominent politician and former Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala.
• R S Gavai also served as a Rajya Sabha MP.

Legal Career Highlights

• Joined the Bar on March 16, 1985.
• Worked with Barrister Raja S Bhonsale, former Advocate General and HC judge, until 1987.
• Independent practice at Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990.
• Post-1990, focused practice on Constitutional and Administrative Law at Nagpur Bench.

Key Legal Roles

• Standing Counsel for:
  • Municipal Corporation of Nagpur
  • Amravati Municipal Corporation
  • Amravati University
• Regularly appeared for bodies like SICOM, DCVL, and municipal councils in Vidarbha.
• Appointed:
  • Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor (1992–1993)
  • Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor (2000) for Nagpur Bench

Judicial Appointments

• Additional Judge of Bombay High Court – 2003
• Permanent Judge of Bombay High Court – 2005
• Judge of the Supreme Court of India – 2019