In an unprecedented event for India's judiciary, the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India will witness international participation for the first time. Chief Justices and Supreme Court judges from six foreign nations are scheduled to attend the historic oath-taking ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, 24 November.
International Delegation Marks a First for Indian Judiciary
This marks a significant departure from tradition, as per a report by legal news outlet Bar and Bench. The presence of this high-level international delegation underscores the growing global interconnectedness of judicial systems and India's strengthening diplomatic ties within the legal fraternity.
The delegation includes top judicial figures and their family members from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This collective presence highlights the respect and stature Justice Surya Kant commands internationally even before formally assuming the role of head of the Indian judiciary.
Who is Attending the Ceremony?
The guest list features a distinguished gathering of legal luminaries from across Asia and Africa. Here is the complete breakdown of the international attendees:
- Bhutan: Justice Lyonpo Norbu Tshering, Chief Justice of Bhutan, and his spouse Lhaden Lotay.
- Kenya: Justice Martha Koome, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, and Justice Susan Njoki Ndungu, Judge of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
- Malaysia: Justice Tan Sri Datuk Nalini Pathmanathan, Judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia, and her spouse Pasupathy Sivapragasam.
- Mauritius: Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, Chief Justice of Mauritius, and her daughter Rebecca Hanna Bibi Gulbul.
- Nepal: Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Chief Justice of Nepal; Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, Judge of the Supreme Court of Nepal, and her spouse Ashok Bahadur Malla; and Anil Kumar Sinha, former Judge of the Supreme Court of Nepal and current Minister of Law, with his spouse Ursila Sinha.
- Sri Lanka: Justice P Padman Surasena, Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, and his spouse Sepalika Surasena; Justice S. Thurairaja, PC, and his spouse Sasikala Thurairaja; Justice AHMD Nawaz and his spouse Rizan Mohamed Dhlip Nawaz.
Venue, Time, and Profile of the Incoming CJI
The swearing-in ceremony for Justice Surya Kant is set to take place at the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the morning. As is customary, the President of India will administer the oath of office.
Justice Surya Kant will succeed the outgoing CJI BR Gavai. Born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family in Hisar district, Haryana, his journey to the apex court is a testament to his dedication. He earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984 and began his legal practice the same year at the District Court in Hisar.
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, he served with distinction as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. His extensive experience at various levels of the judiciary positions him to lead the Indian legal system at a crucial time.
This gathering of global judicial leaders not only honors Justice Surya Kant but also symbolizes a new chapter of international collaboration for India's Supreme Court, potentially fostering greater exchange of legal knowledge and principles.
