Cji

Judges' work stressful, should participate in recreational activities: CJI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday said judges need recreational activities to recharge themselves as they have long working hours and the nature of their work is very stressful. Speaking to the media at the opening ceremony of the All India Judges Badminton Championship, the CJI said judges should participate in recreational activities that suit their age. "The working hours of judges are long and the nature of (their) work is very stressful. Sitting hours are long. All judges should participate in a recreational activity and make it a habit. Recreation is needed to recharge them. "High Court judges are participating in this event in large numbers. It shows that they are conscious about their health and well-being," CJI Kant said. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union minister Kiren Rijiju, and apex court judges were present at the ceremony. The two-day championship is being held at the Thyagraj Sports Complex here. The closing ceremony and prize distribution wi

Bar vital in upholding sanctity of Constitution, says CJI Surya Kant

The Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of the Constitution, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said on Wednesday while also stressing its importance in providing legal aid to the vulnerable and the marginalised. Addressing a gathering at a Constitution Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, the CJI said the judiciary has repeatedly acknowledged the invaluable role of the Bar in safeguarding its virtues. "When we celebrate the pivotal moment when the people of India gifted unto themselves their most fundamental covenant, I stand before you and must emphasise that the Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of our Constitution... "I do not hesitate in saying that if the courts are regarded as the sentinel of the Constitution, then the members of the Bar are the torchbearers who illuminate our path. They help us discharge our solemn duty with clarity and .

CJI Kant says no to oral mentioning of cases, hears 17 cases on first day

On the first day as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, Monday set a new procedural norm that mentioning cases for urgent listing must be made in writing, and oral requests will be entertained under "extraordinary circumstances" like in cases of death penalty and personal liberty. A bench led by Justice Kant heard as many as 17 cases in proceedings spanning around two hours on his first day as the CJI. Justice Kant formally assumed charge as the 53rd CJI shortly after taking oath in Hindi in the name of God at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Arriving at the Supreme Court for the first time as CJI in the forenoon, he paid floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar on the court premises. He then presided over a three-judge bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Atul S Chandurkar, in the heritage courtroom number one. As proceedings commenced around noon, the CJI pronounced a judgment on a plea filed by Himachal Pradesh against a private ...

Justice Surya Kant takes oath as 53rd CJI, to serve till February 2027

Justice Surya Kant was recommended for the position by outgoing chief justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, whose term ended on November 23

I practice Buddhism, but I believe in all religions: CJI B R Gavai

Outgoing Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said that he practises Buddhism but he is a truly secular person who believes in all the religions. Speaking at a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA), Gavai expressed his gratitude, saying that the country's judiciary has given him a lot. Gavai is scheduled to retire on November 23, and Friday would be his last working day in Supreme Court. "I practice Buddhism but I do not have much depth in any religious studies. I am truly secular and I believe in Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, everything," Gavai said. "I have learnt this from my father. He was a secular and erudite follower of Dr Ambedkar. While growing up, when we used to accompany him to political functions and his friends say, 'Come here, the dargah here is famous, or the gurdwara here is famous', we used to go," the CJI recollected. Gavai said he could reach the current position only because of Dr Ambedkar a

Administration of criminal justice 'most neglected sphere': Ex-CJI Lalit

Voicing concern over the dismal conviction rate, former Chief Justice of India U U Lalit on Sunday said the administration of criminal justice is the most neglected sphere in the government apparatus and favoured separating the investigative wing of police from the rest of the force involved in normal law and order duties. The former CJI, batting for reforms to prevent the abuse of criminal laws and ensure that no innocent is prosecuted, said he would not like his daughters to live in an environment where there was even the slightest chance of laws being misused. Addressing a conference organised by the Ekam Nyaay Foundation, Lalit said that as a lawyer, judge and professor of law for the last 42 years, he had observed that in the country's criminal jurisprudence and the way it was administered, "the administration of criminal justice is perhaps the most neglected sphere in the apparatus of government". He said that police officers or investigators did not have the kind of ...

CJI-designate Surya Kant urges HCs to function like emergency services

Chief Justice of India (Designate) Justice Surya Kant on Saturday emphasised that the judiciary's role goes beyond settling disputes and must also focus on protecting the innocent. He asserted that the high courts must begin to envision their institutional growth much like a modern hospital's emergency services, ensuring swift, decisive and effective responses. Addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of the Jharkhand High Court, which coincided with the state's foundation day, Justice Kant recalled his first case, an urgent plea for visitation rights in a cross-border custody dispute involving two minor children.. "...Justice is not only about resolving disputes, but about protecting the innocent from being lost in the storms of circumstance," the Supreme Court Judge said. He noted that the parents were separated by national boundaries and years of litigation, but the most striking aspect was the quiet anguish of the children, caught between competing jurisdictions and uncertain

All three pillars of democracy must work together for citizens: CJI Gavai

All the three wings of democracy - executive, judiciary and legislature - exist for the welfare of citizens and none can work in isolation, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai said on Wednesday. Speaking at the project initiation function of the Maharashtra National Law University's (MNLU) campus in Mumbai, he said the principles of liberty, justice and equality are embodied in the Constitution. The judiciary has neither the power of the sword nor the power of words. Unless the executive is on board, it is difficult for the judiciary to provide adequate infrastructure to judiciary as well as legal education, the CJI said. He noted law education is now developing with more practical-oriented training and hence infrastructure plays a very important role. The CJI refuted criticism that the Maharashtra government was found lacking when it comes to providing judiciary infrastructure and insisted the notion was based on incorrect views. He lauded the state government and Chief .

No matter how big one becomes, he shouldn't forget his culture: CJI

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Saturday said that one should remain connected to one's soil and that no matter how big an individual becomes, he should never forget his culture. Gavai said the opportunity he got as a judge to provide socio-economic justice to people was better than any riches. He was speaking at the annual function of Maheshwari Prasad Inter College in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district. Currently a government-funded Inter College, the institute was founded as a primary school in 1966 by Devendra Nath, the father of Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath. Addressing students, the CJI said, "One should not break the connection with one's soil. No matter how big an individual becomes, he should not forget his culture." Gavai said that before becoming a judge, he was a lawyer with a good practice. But the opportunity he had as a judge to provide socio-economic justice to the citizens of the country was better than earning crores of rupees. He urged the students to ta

SC verdict on Friday in suo motu case on summoning of advocates by ED

The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver on Friday its verdict in a suo motu matter concerning the summoning of advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during the probe of cases. A bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai had on August 12 reserved its judgment in the suo motu case titled 'In Re: Summoning advocates who give legal opinion or represent parties during investigation of cases and related issues. While hearing the matter on July 29, the top court said if a person was merely acting as a lawyer, then he should not be summoned by probe agencies for rendering legal opinion to a client who was under investigation. The apex court, however, said if a lawyer was assisting the client in the crime, then he could be summoned. Earlier, the apex court had observed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was "crossing all limits" and expressed serious concern over the agency summoning lawyers for offering legal advice or representing clients during investigations. It had

Justice Surya Kant appointed next CJI; to enter office on Nov 24

Justice Surya Kant was on Thursday appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India and he will assume charge on November 24. The Department of Justice in the Union Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his appointment. Justice Surya Kant succeeds Justice Bhushan R Gavai, who demits office on November 23. He will be the CJI for nearly 15 months and will demit office on February 9, 2027 on attaining the age of 65 years. "In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025," Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a post on X. "I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him," he added. Justice Kant, born in a middle-class family on February 10, 1962 in Hissar district of Haryana, became a top court judge on May 24, 2019. He brings to the country's top judicial office a wealth of experience

CJI BR Gavai's tenure ends soon: Meet Justice Surya Kant the next in line | Supreme court

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court after him as his successor.

CJI BR Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of India

Once President Droupadi Murmu formally approves Kant's appointment, he will take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, and serve until February 9, 2027

Govt begins process to appoint new CJI as Justice BR Gavai nears retirement

Traditionally, the outgoing CJI receives the request for recommendation about a month before demitting office upon reaching the age of 65

Courts are custodians of democracy, not just law interpreters: CJI Gavai

Observing that public trust is the judiciary's "most valuable asset", Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday said that courts have an active and indispensable role to play in the system of constitutional governance and in fulfilling the mandate of the Constitution. The CJI noted that perhaps the most enduring role of courts in constitutional governance is to sustain public faith in the rule of law, adding that decisions delivered by courts, even if unpopular, must reflect fairness and moral courage. Justice Gavai, who is presently on a four-day official visit to Bhutan, delivered the keynote address at an event organised by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) School of Law at the Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu. Speaking on the theme of "courts and constitutional governance", he touched upon many aspects, including the active role of courts. "I will not burden you with more case examples, but I wish to emphasise a larger point: that the courts of any nation have an active

Govt initiates process to appoint new CJI; Justice Surya Kant next in line

The government on Thursday initiated the process to appoint the next chief justice of India as incumbent B R Gavai demits office on November 23, sources said. The letter asking Justice Gavai to name his successor is set to be delivered either this evening or on Friday, people aware of the procedure to appoint Supreme Court and high court judges told PTI. According to the memorandum of procedure, a set of documents which guide the appointment, transfer and elevation of SC and HC judges states that appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office. The Union law minister would, "at the appropriate time", seek the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the appointment of his successor. Conventionally, the letter is sent a month before the incumbent CJI retires on attaining the age of 65 years. Justice Surya Kant is the seniormost judge after the CJI and is next in line to

SC to hear contempt plea on Oct 27 against lawyer who threw shoe at CJI

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on October 27 a petition seeking contempt action against advocate Rakesh Kishore, who hurled a shoe towards Chief Justice of India B R Gavai during court proceedings earlier this month. According to the cause list of October 27 uploaded on the apex court's website, the plea filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) will come up for hearing before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi. On October 6, in a shocking security breach, 71-year-old Kishore hurled a shoe towards the CJI in his courtroom, which prompted the Bar Council of India to suspend his licence with immediate effect. The CJI, who remained unfazed during and after the unprecedented incident, asked the court officials and security personnel present to "just ignore" it and let off the errant lawyer with a warning. The incident sparked widespread condemnation from different sections of the society, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking to the CJI and calling

AG approves contempt proceedings against lawyer who threw shoe at CJI Gavai

Attorney General for India R Venkataramani has approved criminal contempt proceedings against lawyer Rakesh Kishore. The case is listed after Diwali

SCBA terminates membership of lawyer for attempting to hurl shoe at CJI

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday terminated with immediate effect membership of lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to hurl a shoe towards Chief Justice of India B R Gavai inside the courtroom, after finding him guilty of grave misconduct. In a shocking security breach, Kishore (71) attempted to hurl a shoe towards the CJI and was heard shouting "Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge" (will not tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma). The Bar Council of India suspended Kumar's bar licence with immediate effect. The SCBA said Kishore's reprehensible, disorderly and intemperate behaviour amounted to a direct assault on judicial independence and a serious breach of professional ethics, decorum and the dignity of the Supreme Court. "The Executive Committee finds that the said conduct amounts to a direct assault on judicial independence, the sanctity of courtroom proceedings, and the longstanding relationship of mutual respect and trust between the Bar and the Bench. "The Executive ..

‘I have no regrets’: Lawyer who attacked CJI Gavai says it was ‘God's will’ | Supreme Court

The lawyer who threw a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, says he has no regrets for his actions.