Justice BR Gavai took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on May 14, 2025, following the retirement of Justice Sanjiv Khanna. He is the first CJI to follow Buddhism, with his father, RS Gavai, being a prominent figure in the Ambedkarite movement. Justice Gavai is also only the second CJI from the Dalit community, after Justice KG Balakrishnan, who held the post in 2007.
His tenure as CJI will last for approximately six months, until November 24, 2025.
Justice Gavai’s Judicial Journey
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai initially aspired to be an architect but chose law to honor his father's wishes. His father was an influential leader who played a role in the adoption of Buddhism by over four lakh people in 1956, led by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Justice Gavai began his legal practice in 1985, appearing before the Bombay High Court and its Nagpur Bench. He was appointed as a judge to the Bombay High Court in 2003, where he served for over 16 years before being elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019.
Important Decisions by Justice Gavai
Throughout his tenure, Justice Gavai has been part of several significant cases, shaping India's judicial landscape. Some of his key rulings include:
- Manish Sisodia Bail in Liquor Policy Case: Justice Gavai was part of the bench that granted bail to Delhi's former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the controversial liquor policy case.
- Prabir Purkayastha Bail: He granted bail to Prabir Purkayastha, the founder of NewsClick, in a UAPA case.
- Bulldozer Justice: In a pivotal decision, Justice Gavai criticized bulldozer justice, stating that demolitions without proper legal procedures were wrong.
- SC-ST Reservation Sub-categorization: As part of a 7-member bench, he supported the sub-categorization of SC-ST reservations (quota within a quota) and advocated creating a creamy layer in the SC-ST category, similar to OBCs.
- Electoral Bonds: Justice Gavai was part of the Constitution Bench that declared electoral bonds unconstitutional in February 2024, citing violations of the Right to Information Act.
- Article 370 (Jammu & Kashmir): He was part of the Constitution Bench that upheld the revocation of Article 370, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Prashant Bhushan Contempt Case: Justice Gavai was one of the judges involved in the contempt case against Prashant Bhushan, regarding his comments on the judiciary.
- Demonetization: He also supported the constitutional validity of demonetization, one of the most significant decisions during the Modi government.
Key Upcoming Cases
As the new CJI, Justice Gavai will soon oversee critical cases such as the Waqf Amendment Act and controversies involving judges like Shekhar Yadav (Allahabad High Court) and Yashwant Verma (Delhi High Court). His decisions in these cases will have significant implications for India's legal and political landscape.
Justice Gavai’s Philosophy
Before taking the oath, Justice Gavai addressed crucial matters, including the debate over the supremacy of Parliament vs. the judiciary. He emphasized that neither Parliament nor the judiciary is supreme; rather, it is the Constitution that holds ultimate authority. Additionally, when questioned about judges accepting political posts after retirement, Justice Gavai clarified his position, stressing the importance of maintaining judicial independence.
