Justice Surya Kant sworn in as India’s 53rd Chief Justice, known for landmark constitutional judgments

Justice Surya Kant takes charge as the new Chief Justice of India, bringing decades of judicial experience and a series of nationally significant rulings to the country’s top judicial post.

Justice Surya Kant has formally taken charge as the 53rd Chief Justice of India following the retirement of Justice B.R. Gavai. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of the Prime Minister and senior Union ministers. He will serve in the top judicial position until February 9, 2027.

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant rose from a modest family background to reach the highest post in the Indian judiciary. His legal career began as a lawyer in Hisar before he moved to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In 2018, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and subsequently elevated to the Supreme Court.

Key Judicial Contributions

Justice Surya Kant has been part of several historic and far-reaching constitutional decisions:

• Article 370 Case:

He was on the Constitution Bench that upheld the removal of Article 370, marking a major constitutional shift for Jammu & Kashmir.

• Sedition Law (Section 124A):

He contributed to the decision that effectively halted the use of the sedition law until a full legal review is completed, directing all governments not to apply it in the meantime.

• Pegasus Surveillance Case:

He played a crucial role in the formation of an expert committee to investigate allegations of illegal surveillance through the Pegasus spyware, stressing limits on executive power under the guise of national security.

• Bihar Voter List Issue:

His judgment mandated full disclosure of details related to 65 lakh names removed from the electoral rolls, strengthening transparency in the voting system.

• Women’s Rights and Representation:

He reinstated a wrongfully removed woman sarpanch and stressed the need for fair representation. His orders also called for reserving one-third seats for women in bar associations nationwide.

• Powers of Governors and President:

He has served on the Constitution Bench reviewing the scope and limits of gubernatorial and presidential powers, with final rulings still awaited.

• PM Modi’s Security Lapse (2022):

He ordered the formation of a committee headed by Justice Indu Malhotra to examine the security breach during the Prime Minister’s Punjab visit.

• One Rank, One Pension (OROP):

He upheld the constitutional validity of the OROP scheme, supporting its implementation for defence personnel.

• Women’s Role in Legal Institutions:

Through a separate judgment, he underlined the need for greater female participation in legal bodies and professional associations.

• Ranveer Allahbadia Case:

He issued a warning regarding derogatory online statements, emphasising that freedom of expression does not justify socially harmful commentary.

Justice Surya Kant has contributed extensively to national and international legal institutions. He has served on the governing body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and participated actively in several key legal committees.