Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai set a new precedent on Monday by keeping an official Mercedes-Benz car for his successor Justice Surya Kant at the Rashtrapati Bhavan after the swearing-in ceremony.
Justice Surya Kant was sworn in at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, marking the beginning of his nearly 15-month tenure at the head of India’s judiciary. He was sworn in as the 53rd CJI by President Droupadi Murmu in a brief ceremony on Monday morning. He took an oath in Hindi in the name of God.
Justice Gavai, who retired on November 23, arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in an official car and left for his residence in his personal vehicle after the function.
“After the swearing-in ceremony, Justice Gavai left the official vehicle meant for the Chief Justice and returned in an alternate vehicle from Rashtrapati Bhavan, thus ensuring that the official car would be available for use by his successor to travel to the Supreme Court,” a person privy to the development told PTI.
CJI Justice Surya Kant
Justice Kant was appointed as the next CJI on October 30 and will remain in office for nearly 15 months. He was sworn in on 24 November and will relinquish office on 9 February 2027 after reaching the age of 65.
Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony were Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former CJI Gavai.
Shortly after taking the oath, Justice Surya Kant touched the feet of his senior family members, adding an emotional, traditional moment to the historic event.
The event was also attended by world justice.
Delegations from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended the swearing-in ceremony. Among them were Bhutanese Chief Justice Lyonpo Norbu Tshering; Chief Justice of Kenya Martha Koome; Malaysian Justice Tan Sri Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan; Mauritius Chief Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul; Chief Justice of Nepal Prakash Man Singh Raut; and Chief Justice of Sri Lanka P Padman Suresena along with accompanying judges and officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Justice Surya Kant on assuming office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
“Attended the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” PM Modi tweeted on X.
Justice Surya Kant was born on 10 February 1962 in Hisar, Haryana. Justice Surya Kant’s journey from a small-town practitioner to the highest judicial office in the land reflects decades of distinguished legal service.
He previously served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and delivered several landmark judgments during his tenure in the Punjab and Haryana High Courts.
