Justice B R Gavai is first Buddhist to be sworn in as Chief Justice of India

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu as the 52nd Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, May 14. His term will end on November 23, 2025.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Justice Gavai is the first Buddhist Chief Justice of India. He took his oath of office, pledging his commitment to uphold the Constitution and faithfully discharge duties, in Hindi. And he is the second Dalit after Konakuppakatil Gopinathan Balakrishnan (2007-2010) to assume the highest judicial office in the country.

Chief Justice Gavai acknowledged the applause with folded hands, shook hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, other dignitaries and family members sitting in the foremost row, including his immediate predecessor, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

The Chief Justice of India touched his 84-year-old mother Kamaltai's feet. Prime Minister Modi also went up to the Chief Justice's mother to greet her. The ceremony concluded with the rendering of the National Anthem.

Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, both sitting and retired, were present at the ceremony.