CJI B.R. Gavai Pays Floral Tributes To Mahatma Gandhi & Dr. Ambedkar After Taking Oath
Today, On 14th May, After taking oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, honouring their legacy at the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi.
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai paid floral tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar upon arriving at the Supreme Court following his swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
At 64, Justice Gavai becomes the first Buddhist Chief Justice and the second Dalit to lead the judiciary, following K.G. Balakrishnan. He was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu during a brief ceremony at the Ganatantra Mandap in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, marking a significant milestone as Justice Gavai becomes the first Buddhist and only the second person from the Dalit community to achieve the country’s highest judicial office.
After arriving at the apex court, CJI Gavai honored the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar with floral tributes.
Justice Gavai is set to serve as CJI until his retirement on November 23, 2025, succeeding CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13.
Justice Gavai, who became a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019, will serve for a tenure of over six months, concluding on November 23.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai comes from a family that strongly embodies Ambedkarite values. His father, R.S. Gavai, was a notable leader of the Republican Party of India and held the position of Governor in Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala.
He started his legal practice independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. Later, he mainly practiced at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. His official profile on the Supreme Court’s website mentions this.
Justice Gavai’s time as CJI will be short but important, lasting for about six months, until his retirement in November 2025.
Justice Gavai mainly dealt with Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. He worked as Standing Counsel for different bodies such as:
- Municipal Corporation of Nagpur
- Amravati Municipal Corporation
- Amravati University
He also appeared for many public sector corporations like SICOM and DCVL, as well as various Municipal Councils in the Vidarbha region.
Also Read: Justice BR Gavai Recommended as Next Chief Justice of India, Will Take Oath on May 14
In August 1992, he was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, a position he held till July 1993. He was then appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor on January 17, 2000.
Justice Gavai became an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on November 12, 2005.
He handled a wide variety of cases at the Principal Seat in Mumbai as well as Benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.
He has authored around 300 judgments, including important Constitution Bench rulings. These judgments have played a role in protecting the rule of law, human rights, fundamental rights, and legal rights of the people.
