Justice Surya Kant, known for his sharp wit, grounded personality, and fearless courtroom observations, is all set to take on one of India’s most powerful roles that of the Chief Justice of India. Current CJI B. R. Gavai has officially recommended his name to the Centre, paving the way for him to become the 53rd CJI later this year.
A Small-Town Dream with a Big Destiny
Born in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant’s story is one of determination over privilege. A first-generation lawyer, he graduated in Law from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, and began practicing in Hisar before moving to Chandigarh. His rise was swift from being Haryana’s youngest Advocate General in 2000 to a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, and later, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018.
The Judge Who Dared to Pause Sedition
Since his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019, Justice Kant has made headlines for his candid remarks and impactful judgments. He was part of the 2022 bench that paused all sedition cases across India, a move hailed as a landmark moment in protecting free speech. Recently, he presided over the Bihar electoral roll revision case, where he upheld the Election Commission’s corrective exercise after voter discrepancies surfaced.
No-Nonsense and People-Centric: Justice with a Voice
Justice Kant has also been vocal against judicial delays, once urging judges to “just get rid of these cases people need judgments, not jurisprudence.” His bench took suo motu note of rising digital scams and issued notices to all states on “digital arrests,” showing his awareness of evolving cyber threats.
Poised for the Top Job
If officially appointed, Justice Surya Kant’s tenure expected to run until February 2027 could mark an era of pragmatic reform and people-centric justice from the courtroom to the Constitution’s highest seat.