Page 5 - Chief Justice Of India

Constitution is supreme, not Parliament or judiciary: CJI-designate Gavai

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who is set to become the first Buddhist Chief Justice of India on May 14, on Sunday said no to any post-retirement assignment and put to rest the debate on whether Parliament or judiciary is superior by asserting the Constitution is supreme. In an informal chat with journalists at his residence here, Justice Gavai said that the top court judges were shocked to hear about the Pahalgam terror attack and referred to the full court meeting convened by him as CJI Sanjiv Khanna was away. When the country is in crisis, the Supreme Court cannot remain aloof. We are also part of the nation, he said while touching upon issues ranging from pendency of cases to vacancies in courts, judges meeting commoners including politicians and the statements against the judiciary. Responding to queries about statements of politicians and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar that Parliament is supreme, he said, The Constitution is supreme. This has been held in the 13-judge benc

CJI sends inquiry report indicting Justice Varma to President, PM

In its probe, the in-house committee indicted Justice Varma, following which the CJI reportedly asked him to resign

'Impeachment if he does not resign': Justice Varma indicted in cash row

Justice Yashwant Varma found culpable in 'cash scandal' by an in-house panel; CJI Sanjiv Khanna has sought his resignation or may recommend his impeachment to the President of India

From luxury flats to gold jewellery: SC judges' assets made public

SC has made judges' asset declarations public; 21 of 33 judges have disclosed their wealth, including crores in investments and properties, with CJI Khanna holding a fixed deposit of ₹55 lakh

Bench led by next CJI BR Gavai to hear pleas against Waqf Act: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday said the pleas challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act's constitutional validity will be taken up by a bench headed by Chief Justice of India-designate Justice B R Gavai on May 15. As soon as a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan assembled for the hearing, the CJI said, There are certain aspects which you (Centre) dealt with, but that require clarification. I do not want to reserve any judgment or order at this interim stage. This matter will have to be heard on a reasonably early date and this will not be before me. CJI Khanna demits office on May 13 and will be succeeded by CJI-designate Justice Gavai a day after his superannuation. We have not very deeply gone into the counter affidavit (of the Centre). Yes, you have raised certain points in regards to registration (of Waqf properties) and have given some disputed figures, that will require some consideration, the CJI said. We would have loved to pur

Mediation more holistic than court trials in resolving disputes: CJI

Observing that mediation is not a "lesser form of justice" but it's "wiser form", Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday said mediation offers a more holistic solution to disputes as compared to courtroom adjudication. Speaking at the National Conference on Exploring the Efficacy and Reach of Mediation, Khanna said that in courtroom adjudication, one party emerges the winner and the other the loser leading to relations becoming strained. The CJI said mediation, on the other hand, can heal relations and the solutions offered by it are less traumatic and more humane. "Court litigation and adjudication are, in a way, grim and shallow. At times, the root cause remains unaddressed and the ailment and bane remain. The relationships are strained, if not broken. There is a winner, there is a loser," he said. "Mediation does the opposite. It seeks to identify and remedy the root cause. It goes deeper into the issue, the cause of the misunderstanding. It addresses the primordial an

President Murmu appoints SC judge B R Gavai as 52nd Chief Justice of India

Justice Gavai will be the second-ever Dalit to hold the elusive post

We should maintain decorum of institution: SC over BJP MP's remarks

The Supreme Court on Monday called for maintaining "certain decorum and reputation of the institution" after it was informed that a parliamentarian made remarks against the Chief Justice of India. Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the observation after petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the permission to withdraw his PIL over hate speeches during violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following the amendment to the waqf law. Tiwari was referring to the statements of Jharkhand BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who said Parliament and assemblies should be shut if the apex court had to make laws. He also blamed Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna for "civil wars" in India. "We should maintain certain decorum and reputation of the institution even in allegations. In Article 32 petition, the averments made should also be respectful," the bench told Tiwari. The bench allowed Tiwari to amend his plea, asking him to bring in court "something concrete". The BJP on April 1

A stickler for court discipline: Meet next CJI Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai

Well versed in constitutional and administrative law, Gavai is set to become the first Scheduled Caste CJI after KG Balakrishnan

Waqf hearing: When we sit on bench, we lose our religion, says CJI

The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong note of an analogy drawn by the Centre in support of the inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf boards and the argument that by that logic, a bench of Hindu judges should not be hearing pleas related to waqf. The bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan was questioning the provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 that allow for the nomination of non-Muslim members to the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards. "Are you suggesting that minorities, including Muslims, should also be included in boards managing Hindu religious institutions? Please state that openly," the CJI said. Representing the Centre in the matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the provisions, emphasising that the inclusion of non-Muslim members is limited and does not affect the predominantly Muslim composition of these bodies. The law officer also said objections to non-Muslim participation coul

Waqf Amendment Act: How Article 26 emerged as a key legal flashpoint in SC

Article 26 of the Constitution took centre stage as the Supreme Court began hearing petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, with Kapil Sibal leading arguments in court

Justice BR Gavai to take oath as 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14

Justice Gavai is currently the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court after CJI Khanna. He will serve as the 52nd Chief Justice of India until his retirement on November 23, 2025

AIMPLB moves SC challenging constitutional validity of new Waqf law

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has moved the Supreme Court against the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Earlier in the day, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan agreed to consider, listing for an urgent hearing, the plea of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and others, including Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on the issue. President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament after heated debates in both houses. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) filed the plea in the top court late April 6. In a press statement, SQR Ilyas, the AIMPLB spokesperson, said the petition strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being "arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion". The amendments, it said, not only violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles

Judiciaries thrive through collaboration and mutual respect: CJI Khanna

Judiciaries thrive through collaboration and mutual respect and the signing of a MoU with the Supreme Court of Nepal will build institutional comity for the future, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said on Monday. The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) is not a mere formal exchange but the reaffirmation of a centuries-old bond, renewed with a spirit of collaboration, mutual respect and shared purpose, he said at the event. "India and Nepal are more than just neighbouring countries. Our connection is etched in history and civilisational values. From the sacred Himalayas to the spiritual heritage of Gautam Buddha, our ties transcend borders and have withstood the test of time. These ties are not only visible in our traditions but also in the institutions that underpin our democracies," Chief Justice of India (CJI) Khanna said. "Among these institutions, the judiciary holds a sacred place. It guards the Constitution, upholds the rule of law, and ensures justice for al

CJI assures bar leaders will consider demand over Justice Varma transfer

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Thursday met representatives of several bar bodies to discuss the proposed transfer of Delhi High Court's Justice Yashwant Varma to the Allahabad High Court. The bar bodies are seeking withdrawal of collegium's recommendation to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. Sources said the CJI's office called the representatives of the bar bodies for a meeting with Justice Khanna at around 1.45 pm and the meeting is still underway. Earlier in the day, representatives of the bar associations of high courts of Allahabad, Gujarat, Kerala, Jabalpur, Karnataka and Lucknow submitted a memorandum to the CJI's office and sought an appointment to meet Justice Khanna. They have also raised the issue of alleged tampering of evidence at Justice Varma's official residence where burnt wads of cash were purportedly discovered on March 14 during a fire incident. They have questioned non-registration of an FIR in the incident.

Indira Jaising criticises lack of transparency in SC Collegium's decision

The SC said the Delhi HC Chief Justice began an in-house inquiry into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma, with a report set to be submitted to the CJI on March 21

Justice Joymalya Bagchi appointed to SC, set to become CJI in 2031

Justice Joymalya Bagchi is set to assume the role of Chief Justice of India upon the retirement of Justice KV Viswanathan on May 25, 2031

SC defers hearing in Places of Worship Act to first week of April

CJI Sanjiv Khanna also took exception to many intervention applications being filed in the case and said there should be a limit to such applications

VP Dhankhar questions CJI's involvement with executive appointment

How can in a country like ours or in any democracy, by statutory prescription, Chief Justice of India participate in the selection of the CBI director, VP Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned

SC bench of Chief Justice Khanna to hear plea seeking verification of EVMs

A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear a plea filed by former Haryana minister and five-time MLA Karan Singh Dalal seeking a policy for the verification of Electronic Voting Machines. When the matter came up for hearing on Friday before Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan, the bench said the case shall be placed before the Chief Justice along with similar petitions. "This can go before the Chief Justice's bench," the bench said. Dalal has approached the Supreme Court seeking a policy for the verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He has sought compliance of an earlier judgement of the top court delivered in the case of 'Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India'. Dalal and co-petitioner Lakhan Kumar Singla secured the second-highest votes in their respective constituencies and have sought a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to implement a protocol for examining the original "burnt memory" or microcontroller of the four