From Slums to Supreme Court: Justice B.R. Gavai's Inspiring Journey to Become the 52nd Chief Justice of India
Justice B.R. Gavai Takes Oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India
On May 14, 2025, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in a solemn ceremony held at the Ganatantra Mandap. Justice Gavai succeeded Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13. The 64-year-old will serve as CJI for over six months, with his term concluding on November 23.
A Historic Appointment: Dalit Representation at the Apex
Justice Gavai's appointment is historically significant, as he becomes only the second person from the Dalit community to rise to the position of Chief Justice of India. The first was Justice K.G. Balakrishnan in 2007. His elevation is seen as a moment of both pride and progress in a country still grappling with deep-rooted social inequalities.
From Slums to Supreme Court: Early Life and Education
Born on November 24, 1960, in the Frezarpura slum of Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai's journey is a testament to perseverance and determination. His mother, Kamaltai Gavai, was a school teacher, while his father, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was the founder of the Republican Party of India (Gavai) and a staunch Ambedkarite. RS Gavai served as a Member of Parliament from Amravati and later as Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala.
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Justice Gavai studied in a municipal Marathi-medium school in his locality, where students often sat on the floor due to a lack of benches. Despite economic hardships, his childhood was deeply rooted in service to others. His mother recalled how soldiers were served food at their small home during the 1971 Bangladesh War, with young Bhushan helping in household chores.
Legal Education and Entry into the Profession
After completing a B.Com degree, Justice Gavai pursued law at Amravati University. He began practicing law in 1985 at the age of 25. He went on to serve as an Additional Public Prosecutor and Government Pleader at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. Despite initial hesitation—guided by his father’s advice that a legal practice could offer financial stability—Justice Gavai chose the path of judgeship, inspired by the values of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Judicial Career and Rise to the Supreme Court
Justice Gavai was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and became a permanent judge in 2005. He served across benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, Panaji, and Mumbai. His elevation to the Supreme Court came on May 24, 2019. Speaking at a New York City Bar Association event in 2024, he candidly stated that his elevation to the apex court was expedited to ensure representation of Scheduled Castes on the Bench.
Values Rooted in the Constitution and Ambedkarite Principles
Justice Gavai has consistently credited Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s constitutional vision as the guiding light of his journey. In an April 2024 address, he remarked, “It is solely due to Dr. B R Ambedkar’s efforts that someone like me, who studied in a semi-slum area at a municipal school, could attain this position,” concluding his speech with the iconic “Jai Bhim.”
Key Judgements and Notable Cases
Justice Gavai has authored and participated in several important judgements:
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Electoral Bonds Case: Part of the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme.
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Article 370: Member of the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
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Scheduled Caste Sub-Classification: On a 7-judge bench that ruled in favor of SC quota sub-categorization. He equated resistance from within the SC community to historical caste-based discrimination.
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Rule of Law & Demolition: Led a bench that ruled arbitrary demolition of properties without due process is unconstitutional.
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Relief under UAPA & PMLA: Granted relief in key cases like those of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.
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Victims of Ethnic Violence in Manipur: In March, traveled to Manipur with fellow SC judges to meet with affected persons and understand their plight.
Inclusivity and Representation: Vision as CJI
Justice Gavai has emphasized the importance of inclusivity within the judiciary. At a Bar Council of India felicitation ceremony, he underlined that the judiciary must acknowledge and respond to societal realities. "A judge cannot ignore ground realities," he said.
He rejected the notion that judges, particularly those in the Supreme Court, should remain aloof from public interaction. Justice Gavai advocated for proactive steps in appointing candidates from marginalised communities and women to the judiciary. Recalling a significant conference attended by former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, he shared how Chief Justices were urged to identify talent from underrepresented groups.
Despite challenges in locating qualified women candidates, he encouraged the selection of skilled female advocates from the Supreme Court Bar. He affirmed that the impact of these inclusivity measures would soon be visible.
Addressing Judicial Vacancies and Pendency
CJI Gavai also acknowledged the chronic issue of judicial vacancies, which contribute significantly to the backlog of cases. He reiterated the Collegium’s commitment to addressing these gaps and appealed to the executive for cooperation in speeding up judicial appointments. His first clearance as CJI, he shared, was the appointment of a judge from a highly marginalised community in Karnataka—an embodiment of his dedication to social justice.
Legacy of Hard Work and Service
In a touching tribute, Kamaltai Gavai, his mother, told PTI that her son’s success is a result of “hard work, determination, and service to the poor and needy.” She said, “It is a moment of satisfaction for us because, from a very young age and under difficult circumstances, he has reached such a high position.”
Justice B.R. Gavai’s life and career symbolise the transformative potential of the Indian Constitution. His ascent from a humble slum in Amravati to the pinnacle of the Indian judiciary is not just a personal achievement—it is a milestone in India’s continuing journey towards equality, representation, and justice for all.
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