Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath at a ceremony attended by Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justice Kant will serve a tenure of approximately 15 months, demitting office on February 9, 2027, upon reaching the age of 65.
Coming from a middle-class family in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant began his legal journey as a small-town lawyer before rising through the judicial ranks. Since his elevation to the Supreme Court, he has served on more than 300 benches, contributing to several historic judgments that shaped India’s legal landscape.
Below is a look at key rulings he has been part of.
Article 370 Abrogation
Justice Kant was part of the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, a watershed ruling that removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status. The verdict marked one of the most consequential decisions in recent Indian judicial history.
Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
He was also on the bench hearing petitions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of elections.
During proceedings, Justice Kant urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose details regarding 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft electoral rolls, reinforcing the importance of electoral transparency.
Freedom of Speech Cases
Justice Kant has presided over multiple cases shaping the boundaries between free expression and societal responsibility.
In one case involving podcast host Ranveer Allahbadia and several stand-up comedians from the show India’s Got Latent, his bench observed that “freedom of speech is not a licence to flout societal norms.” The court criticised performers for derogatory comments about persons with disabilities and directed the Centre to develop guidelines for regulating online content.
In another free speech matter, he headed a bench that criticised Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for comments against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, noting that public office bearers must exercise high responsibility in their speech.
Timelines for Assent to Bills
Justice Kant served on the five-judge Constitution Bench, led by Justice BR Gavai, which held that while courts cannot impose strict timelines for Governors or the President to grant assent to state legislation, these constitutional authorities do not possess unlimited authority to delay bills indefinitely.
Sedition Law
His bench delivered a significant order placing the colonial-era sedition law on hold. The ruling stated that no new FIRs should be registered under the provision until the Union government completes its review, marking a major moment in the evolution of free speech jurisprudence.
Women-Centric Rulings
Justice Kant has consistently advocated gender inclusivity in legal representation and public life.
He led a bench that restored the position of a woman sarpanch who had been unlawfully removed, calling out systemic gender bias. He is also known for directing that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.
Other Key Judgments
Justice Kant’s judicial career includes several high-impact rulings:
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He was on the bench that appointed a committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Modi’s 2022 Punjab visit, asserting the need for a “judicially trained mind”.
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He upheld the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme, deeming it constitutionally sound.
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He continues to hear petitions from women officers in the Armed Forces seeking equal treatment in permanent commission matters.
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In a 2023 judgment, he called the fraud involving homebuyers, banks and developers a “serious societal threat”, directing the CBI to investigate 28 cases.
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He was on the bench that granted bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the CBI excise policy case, reminding the agency to work to dispel the perception of being a “caged parrot”.
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He served on the 2021 bench that established a committee of cyber experts to probe the alleged Pegasus spyware surveillance, noting that national security cannot be invoked as a blanket defence.
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Most recently, he was part of the seven-judge bench that overturned the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University ruling, paving the way for reconsideration of its minority status.
With his elevation as Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant brings decades of experience, a commitment to constitutional values, and a legacy of opinions that continue to influence India’s democratic fabric.
