New Delhi – The Indian government has sent a letter to Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, asking him to name his successor in the Supreme Court.
The request is the first formal step in the appointment process for the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). In India, the outgoing CJI usually hands over the recommendation about a month before he or she leaves office. Gavai will retire on Nov. 23, so the recommendation is being sought now.
According to long‑standing convention, the retiring CJI chooses the most senior judge of the Supreme Court who is fit for the job. That means Justice Surya Kant, the senior‑most judge, is the natural choice to become the 53rd CJI. He is expected to take over when Gavai’s term ends.
While Gavai is on a four‑day official visit to Bhutan, the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju is waiting for the recommendation. The Minister will then forward the name to the prime minister and, ultimately, to the president for appointment. This procedure, built into the Memorandum of Procedure for the higher judiciary, is designed to guarantee a smooth transition at the top of the court.
Justice Surya Kant, born on Feb. 10, 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, started his law career at the Hisar District Court in 1984 and moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court a year later. He has been a respected authority in constitutional, service, and civil law, and was the youngest Advocate General of Haryana in 2000. He became a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from Oct. 5, 2018, and joined the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. He will retire on Feb. 9, 2027, giving him about 15 months as CJI if appointed. In addition, he has been chairing the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since November 2024.
The government’s move marks an ordinary but crucial step in Indian judicial leadership. As the world watches, the next Chief Justice’s appointment will shape the country’s legal landscape for years to come.
Source: ianslive
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