Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai to succeed Sanjiv Khanna as CJI

Incumbent Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has recommended to Union Law Ministry appointment of Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai to succeed him for the top post.

Justice Gavai is slated to take oath as the 52nd CJI on May 14.

Last year in November, President Droupadi Murmu had administered the oath of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the 51st Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India, after Justice D Y Chandrachud retired.


Justice Khanna's tenure, however, has been brief, lasting for six months, as he is scheduled to retire on May 13, 2025.

In India, as a practice, the outgoing CJI recommends their successor based on seniority. The Union Law Minister forwards the recommendation to the Prime Minister, who then advises the President.

Who is B R Gavai?

B R Gavai is a distinguished figure in the Indian judiciary, currently serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Justice Gavai's legal journey began when he joined the Bar on March 16, 1985. He initially worked under the guidance of the late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, a former Advocate General and High Court Judge, until 1987.

After establishing his practice at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990, Gavai shifted his focus to the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, where he specialized in Constitutional and Administrative Law. His extensive experience includes serving as the Standing Counsel for various municipal corporations and educational institutions, including the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur and Amravati University.

Gavai's career saw him appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court from August 1992 to July 1993. He later rose to the position of Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000.

On November 14, 2003, Gavai was elevated to the position of Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court and became a permanent Judge two years later, on November 12, 2005. Throughout his career, he has presided over various benches both in Mumbai and at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji, handling a diverse range of legal assignments.

He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019 and is set to retire on November 23, 2025.