CJI Surya Kant scraps oral mentions, begins tenure by hearing 17 cases on Day 1
Justice Kant formally assumed charge as the 53rd CJI shortly after taking oath in Hindi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday
Justice Surya Kant sworn in as the Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Monday. (Photo:@rashtrapatibhvn/X)
New Delhi, Nov 24: On the first day as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, on Monday, set a new procedural norm that mentioning cases for urgent listing must be made in writing, and oral requests will be entertained under "extraordinary circumstances" like in cases of death penalty and personal liberty.
"If you have any urgent mentioning, give your mentioning slip along with the cause of urgency; the registrar will examine and in those matters, if we find an element of urgency, will take it up," he said.
Earlier, former CJI Sanjiv Khanna had stopped the practice of oral mentioning of cases for urgent listing in the top court. However, it was revived by Justice B R Gavai, who had succeeded Justice Khanna to the post.
A bench led by Justice Kant heard as many as 17 cases in proceedings spanning around two hours on his first day as the CJI.
Justice Kant formally assumed charge as the 53rd CJI shortly after taking oath in Hindi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Kant at a brief ceremony attended by dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former CJI B R Gavai.
Arriving at the Supreme Court for the first time as CJI in the forenoon, he paid floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar on the court premises.
He then presided over a three-judge bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Atul S Chandurkar, in the heritage courtroom number one.
As proceedings commenced around noon, the CJI pronounced a judgment on a plea filed by Himachal Pradesh against a private firm.
Just after the pronouncement, Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) President Vipin Nair welcomed the new Chief Justice in the packed courtroom.
A lawyer greeted him as "a farmer's son who has become the CJI", drawing a brief smile. Justice Kant responded, "Thank you. I can see young lawyers from Chandigarh also."
In another matter, families of victims of alleged extrajudicial killings in Manipur sought a court-monitored probe. Their counsel submitted that the families "deserve to know at least what happened".
Justice Kant noted that a probe was already underway and issued notice "for the limited purpose of finding out the status of the investigation by the NIA".
Justice Kant will serve as CJI for nearly 15 months before demitting office on February 9, 2027, on attaining the age of 65 years.
PTI