Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has officially forwarded his recommendation to the Union Law Ministry, proposing Justice Surya Kant as the nation’s next top judge.
Justice Surya Kant, currently the second most senior judge in the Supreme Court, is slated to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India. This appointment will follow Chief Justice Gavai’s retirement, which is scheduled for November 24.
According to the established Memorandum of Procedure for appointing the Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court Judges, the Law Ministry initiates the selection process by requesting a recommendation from the outgoing Chief Justice. This formal letter from the government marks the official beginning of the appointment procedure for the next Chief Justice.
Typically, this crucial process commences approximately one month prior to the incumbent Chief Justice vacating their office.
A Distinguished Career: Justice Surya Kant’s Journey
Justice Kant was born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana. He completed his graduation in his hometown before earning his bachelor’s degree in law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
He began his legal career at the Hisar district court, subsequently relocating to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice at the esteemed Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Throughout his career, Justice Kant honed his expertise in constitutional, service, and civil matters. He has notably represented numerous universities, various boards, corporations, banks, and even the High Court itself.
His remarkable career saw him become the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and he was designated as a senior advocate in March 2001.
He was elevated to the position of a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004, and later appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in October 2018.
Justice Kant’s tenure as a Supreme Court Judge began on May 24, 2019, and he is scheduled to retire on February 9, 2027.