President Kovind signs warrant appointing Justice Bobde as next CJI

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday signed a warrant appointing Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Bobde is expected to take oath on November 18, a day after CJI Ranjan Gogoi demits office. This latest development comes after the CJI wrote a letter to the Central government recommending that Justice Bobde be appointed as his successor. This was in line with the established procedure. Currently, the second-most senior judge in the Supreme Court, he will be the 47th CJI, with tenure until April 23, 2021. The oath will be administered by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Read: Why CBI Does A Good Job When There Is No Political Overtone To A Case: CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Dignitaries likely to attend the oath ceremony 

Top dignitaries including senior ministers of the Central government and other judges from the Supreme Court and the High Courts are expected to attend the ceremony. As per reports, there would be restrictions on the number of guests who would be allowed to enter the venue of the oath owing to security reasons. Furthermore, the guests would require clearance from the President’s office.  

Read: Independence Day: CJI Ranjan Gogoi Laments 'loud And Motivated' Conduct In Courts In His Address

Justice Bobde's career highlights

Born on April 24, 1956, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Justice Bobde completed his law degree from Nagpur University. He went on to enrol with the Bar Council of Maharashtra in 1978. He practised Law at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court with appearances at Bombay before the Principal Seat and before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for over 21 years and was designated as Senior Advocate in 1998. After over two decades of law practice, Justice Bobde was elevated to the Bench of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, as an Additional Judge. He was sworn in as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court on October 16, 2012, and elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on April 12, 2013. Justice Bobde has also been a part of several landmark judgments from the Supreme Court including the verdict on the validity of Aadhaar. He will retire on April 23, 2021. 

Read: Personally, Deeply Saddened By Jaitley's Demise: CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Read: CJI Gogoi Recommends The Name Of Justice SA Bobde As His Successor

(With inputs from agencies)