Justice Surya Kant to Lead India’s Supreme Court Starting Monday

Justice Surya Kant is set to take the oath of office on Monday as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He succeeds Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, who will officially demit office this evening. Appointed to the position on October 30, Justice Kant will serve a tenure of nearly 15 months, concluding on February 9, 2027, upon reaching the retirement age of 65.

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Kant’s ascent to the country’s highest judicial office is notable. He began his career with a small-town legal practice and holds a “first class first” Master’s degree in Law from Kurukshetra University, obtained in 2011. His judicial career has seen him play a pivotal role in several landmark Supreme Court verdicts.

Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Kant served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 2018. His time on the bench has been marked by significant contributions to crucial constitutional matters. Notable cases include his participation in the benches that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, paused the colonial-era sedition law, and mandated an investigation into the allegations surrounding Pegasus spyware.

Justice Kant has also been instrumental in advocating for electoral transparency. He urged the Election Commission to disclose details about 6.5 million missing voters during the Bihar electoral roll revision. His recent work includes involvement in the presidential reference concerning the powers of Governors and the President over state legislation, a verdict that is still awaited and has significant implications.

Advocacy for Gender Equality and Civil Liberties

Justice Kant has shown a strong commitment to gender equality. He led a bench that reinstated a woman sarpanch who had been unlawfully removed, highlighting issues of gender bias. Additionally, he directed that one-third of all positions in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.

His judicial philosophy is rooted in civil liberties. During the Pegasus hearings, he emphasized that the state should not receive a “free pass under the guise of national security.” Justice Kant’s firm stance on civil rights has resonated widely, particularly at a time when such issues are at the forefront of public discourse.

In addition to these cases, he upheld the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme and continues to address cases related to granting permanent commission parity for women officers in the armed forces. His involvement in overturning the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University ruling has opened the door for a reconsideration of the university’s minority status.

Preparing for New Challenges

As Justice Surya Kant prepares to assume leadership of the Supreme Court, he steps into a role defined by significant constitutional challenges and high-stakes litigation. His tenure is expected to be shaped by ongoing debates surrounding both civil liberties and the broader implications of judicial decisions in an evolving legal landscape.

His leadership comes at a critical juncture for the judiciary, with numerous pressing issues awaiting resolution. Justice Kant’s experience and judicial philosophy will undoubtedly influence the direction of the Supreme Court in the coming months. The legal community and the public alike will be closely watching how he navigates these challenges as he begins this new chapter in his distinguished career.