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Justice Surya Kant: The Next Chief Justice of India – A Look at His Key Cases and Judicial Philosophy
Justice Surya Kant, who will take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 23, has been a part of several key judgments since his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019. With a strong background in law and a commitment to upholding the Constitution, Justice Kant is expected to bring a new perspective to the country’s top court. In this article, we will delve into his key cases, speeches, and judicial philosophy to understand what we can expect from his tenure as the Chief Justice of India.
The appointment of Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India has been recommended by the current Chief Justice, B R Gavai. Once notified by the government, Justice Kant will take over as the 53rd Chief Justice when CJI Gavai demits office on November 23. Justice Kant will remain in office till February 9, 2027. Hailing from Haryana, Justice Kant became a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004, and was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. With a distinguished career in law, Justice Kant has been a part of several key judgments, including the Bihar SIR case, digital scams, and sedition cases.
Key Cases
Justice Kant has been a part of several key cases that have had a significant impact on the country’s legal landscape. Some of his notable cases include:
- Bihar SIR: Justice Kant noted that the fact that the total number of voters in Bihar outweighed its adult population by 107% in the past showed that the exercise carried out by the Election Commission was “justified” and that it “was definitely a problem which required correction”.
- Digital scams: Justice Kant’s bench issued notice to all states and union territories on digital arrest cases, seeking details of FIRs registered in their jurisdictions, as it took note of the growing number of such cybercrimes across the country.
- Non-pronouncement of judgments by Jharkhand High Court: Justice Kant censured the grim situation and said judges concerned should rather avail leave for penning pending verdicts.
- Youtubers case: Justice Kant said the words chosen by the YouTuber would make “parents will feel ashamed” aside from the “entire society” and called it “pervert mind and the perversion”.
- Sedition: Justice Kant put in abeyance all sedition cases pending before courts across the country till the government re-examined and re-considered the provisions of Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code.
Speeches on Public Platforms
Justice Kant has also made several notable speeches on public platforms, including:
- The living Constitution: How the Indian Judiciary Shapes and Safeguards Constitutionalism: Justice Kant said courts “deepen” democracy when they “act to empower the powerless, grounded in constitutional text and moral clarity”.
- The Quiet Sentinel: Courts, Democracy, and the Dialogue Across Borders: Justice Kant defended the collegium system of appointing judges and said “despite its imperfections,” it “serves as a crucial institutional safeguard… preserving the Judiciary’s autonomy”.
- Climate change conference: Justice Kant said India and other developing countries disproportionately bear the brunt of taking the blame for environmental damage and climate change.
- Technology in bridging gaps in the justice system: Justice Kant outlined the significance of using technology “thoughtfully and inclusively” in bridging the persistent gaps in our justice system.
Judicial Philosophy
Justice Kant’s judicial philosophy is centered around upholding the Constitution and ensuring that the judiciary remains independent and impartial. He has consistently emphasized the importance of the collegium system in preserving the autonomy of the judiciary and has defended it against criticism. Justice Kant has also highlighted the need for the judiciary to be more proactive in addressing the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.
Key Highlights
Some key highlights of Justice Kant’s career include:
- He holds the distinction of being appointed the youngest advocate general of Haryana on July 7, 2000.
- He was designated a senior advocate in March, 2001.
- He was nominated as a member of the Governing Body of National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007.
- He is currently a member of various committees of Indian Law Institute – a deemed university under the aegis of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
- He has been chairing the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since November 12, 2024.
Conclusion:
Justice Surya Kant’s appointment as the next Chief Justice of India is a significant development in the country’s legal landscape. With his strong background in law and his commitment to upholding the Constitution, Justice Kant is expected to bring a new perspective to the country’s top court. His key cases and speeches on public platforms demonstrate his judicial philosophy and his approach to addressing the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society. As he takes over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, it will be interesting to see how he navigates the complex legal landscape and upholds the principles of justice and equality.
Keywords: Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, Supreme Court, Judiciary, Constitution, Collegium System, Sedition, Digital Scams, Climate Change, Technology in Justice System.
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