In a significant development for India’s judiciary, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been recommended to succeed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Bhushan Gavai, who is currently the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, will take his oath on May 14, following the retirement of Justice Khanna on May 13. The appointment is set to mark a new chapter in the leadership of the country’s apex court.
Born in Amravati on November 24, 1960, Justice Bhushan Gavai’s journey in law began in 1985, when he enrolled as an advocate. His early career saw him working under the mentorship of the late Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, a former Advocate General and High Court Judge, before he ventured into independent practice at the Bombay High Court between 1987 and 1990. Over the years, he earned a reputation for handling matters related to Constitutional and Administrative Law, building a strong presence in legal circles.
Justice Bhushan Gavai’s legal career saw significant milestones as he practiced predominantly at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. His dedication to law and service to his community earned him key roles such as Standing Counsel for various municipal corporations, including the Nagpur and Amravati Municipal Corporations, as well as Amravati University. His tenure at the Bombay High Court led to his elevation as an Additional Judge on November 14, 2003, and his subsequent confirmation as a permanent judge on November 12, 2005.
During his time on the bench, Justice Bhushan Gavai presided over a variety of cases, including significant constitutional matters, and contributed to legal reforms. His reputation for fairness and legal expertise was widely acknowledged as he served not only in the principal seat at Mumbai but also at various benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji. Justice Bhushan Gavai’s extensive judicial experience ultimately led to his appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
