By Admin 
Justice Surya Kant became the new Chief Justice of the country on Monday (November 24, 2025). President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to him as the 53rd CJI. Former Chief Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai was also present at his swearing-in ceremony. Justice BR Gavai reached the swearing-in ceremony in the CJI’s official car, but after the program he went back in another car.
A statement regarding this has been issued by the office of former CJI Gavai. According to the statement, ‘Justice BR Gavai set a new example. After the swearing-in ceremony, he left the official car designated for the CJI and went back to Rashtrapati Bhavan in another car so that the Chief Justice’s car was available for the new CJI Surya Kant to go to the Supreme Court.
Justice BR Gavai retired from the post of CJI on 23 November. He became the 52nd Chief Justice of the country in May this year. During his tenure, he heard many important cases and gave verdicts. On November 21, a bench of five judges of the Supreme Court sent a presidential reference and replied to 14 questions asked by President Draupadi Murmu. November 21 was Justice Gavai’s last working day as CJI and he was also included in this bench.
Justice BR Gavai was the second Dalit judge after Justice KG Balakrishnan to head the Indian judiciary. Overwhelmed by the honor he received on his last working day, Justice Gavai said that he is leaving the institution with a feeling of complete satisfaction after completing a journey of four decades as a lawyer and judge and as a student of justice.
Justice BR Gavai had also said during this time that he is secular. Although he follows Buddhism, he has not done any in-depth study of any religion. He had said that he believes and respects every religion like Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism.
Justice BR Gavai had also told that his father was also secular and a true follower of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and his thinking about religions came from his father only. He told that his father was associated with politics and when he used to go on his political tour and someone told him that the Dargah here is very famous or the Gurudwara somewhere is famous, then he used to visit those religious places.
(With inputs from Nipun Sehgal)