GOVT INITIATES STEPS TO APPOINT 53RD CJI, Pg16.

Key Highlights:

• Government has started the process to appoint the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• Incumbent CJI B R Gavai is set to demit office on November 23.
• Justice Surya Kant, the seniormost judge after the CJI, is next in line to become the head of judiciary.
• If appointed, Justice Surya Kant will have a tenure of nearly 15 months, retiring on February 9, 2027.

Detailed Insights:

• The appointment of the CJI follows the memorandum of procedure, ensuring the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court is considered.
• The Union Law Minister will seek the recommendation of the outgoing CJI for the appointment of his successor.
• The CJI plays a crucial role in maintaining the independence of the judiciary and upholding the rule of law.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Chief Justice of India (CJI): The head of the Indian judiciary and the Supreme Court.
• Memorandum of Procedure: A set of guidelines governing the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary.
• Rule of Law: The principle that all people are subject to and accountable to the law.