Justice Surya Kant, who took oath as the 53rd CJI on November 24, heard 17 matters during a two-hour session before presiding over a three-judge bench alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Atul S. Chandurkar. “Even if files are delayed, justice should not stop,” he told Dainik Bhaskar, underscoring the rationale for tightening the listing procedure.
The CJI’s first day saw several notable interventions, including issuing notice on a petition seeking updates on the NIA probe into alleged fake encounters in Manipur. He also urged restraint in a plea challenging the removal of a judge’s spouse as a government lawyer; the petitioner later withdrew the case. Encouraging a young lawyer during arguments, he remarked that earnest effort could even earn “a little discount.”
Justice Surya Kant’s swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan drew an unprecedented international judicial presence, with Chief Justices from seven countries including Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka attending. After taking the oath from President Droupadi Murmu, he greeted family members and embraced outgoing CJI B.R. Gavai, who symbolically left his official car at the venue for his successor.
With a tenure lasting until February 2027, CJI Surya Kant will lead the Supreme Court Collegium, which now includes Justices Vikram Nath, B.V. Nagarathna, J.K. Maheshwari and M.M. Sundresh. Known for significant rulingsincluding on Article 370, sedition law, and women’s representation in bar bodies he brings a long record of constitutional and administrative jurisprudence to the role.
Raised in Haryana’s Petwad village, Justice Surya Kant maintains close ties to his community and is known for his annual visits to honor local school toppers.
