5 major judgments CJI Gogoi is likely to deliver before his retirement

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi is set to retire from his post on November 17. While the nation awaits the landmark verdict of Ayodhya land dispute case as he retires, President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday signed a warrant appointing Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde as the next CJI. CJI Gogoi had succeeded former CJI Dipak Misra in October 2018. Justice Gogoi's immediate predecessors - Justice Dipak Misra, Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice T.S. Thakur also delivered some landmark verdicts in the final month of their respective tenures.

WATCH: CJI-Designate Justice Bobde asked on Ayodhya case & more

The key judgements expected before CJI Gogoi's retirement:

Ayodhya land dispute case

The Supreme Court on October 16 reserved its verdict in the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and comprising SC judges Justices S.A. Bopde, D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S. Abdul Nazeer reserved the verdict. The final verdict is likely to be pronounced before CJI Gogoi retires. 

READ: CJI Ranjan Gogoi recommends Justice Bobde as successor to the Centre

Rafale review verdict

A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Gogoi in May this year reserved its verdict in the Rafale Review petitions. The review petition was filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan and former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha. They alleged on the basis of leaked documents in the media that Centre had suppressed some information in the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault. The verdict of the case is expected before CJI retires.

Contempt petition against Rahul Gandhi

Additionally, with the Rafale review petition, the same bench comprising CJI Gogoi, Justice SK Kaul and Justice KM Joseph also reserved their verdict in the contempt petition by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The BJP leader had filed a case against Rahul Gandhi for attributing his 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' jibe to the apex court. In his reply, the Congress leader had apologised and had said that the remarks were made 'in the heat of political campaigning.'

Sabarimala review petitions verdict

On February 6 this year, the top court had reserved the verdict in the review petition of its own order of allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. A 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI Gogoi will pronounce its judgment on the review petitions. The review petition has been filed by Travancore Devaswom Board, Pandalam Royal Family and group of devotees against apex court's September 28, 2018 verdict. 

Application of RTI to CJI's office

On April 4, another 5-judge Constitution Bench headed by CJI Gogoi had reserved verdict on three appeals filed back in 2010 by the Court's Secretary-General and its central public information against a Delhi High Court order that the CJI's office falls under the ambit of the Right to Information Act. The verdict of the case is expected before the CJI retires. 

READ: CJI Ranjan Gogoi cancels foreign visit, amid Ayodhya verdict deadline

READ: Ayodhya Case hearing to end on October 16, says CJI Ranjan Gogoi