**Justice BR Gavai Sworn in as India’s 52nd Chief Justice**
Justice BR Gavai took his oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on Wednesday, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first individual from the Buddhist community to assume this prestigious judicial position. With a tenure of seven months ahead, Chief Justice Gavai is set to tackle a significant backlog of social justice cases, including the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Before his swearing-in, Chief Justice Gavai addressed the media, emphasizing his commitment to reducing the backlog in the courts. The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) reveals that there are currently 81,768 cases pending before the Supreme Court, with 28,553 of these cases being less than a year old. However, a considerable number of cases have been unresolved for over five or even ten years.
**Key Issues Facing Chief Justice Gavai**
1. **Constitution Bench Matters**: There are 20 cases pending before five-judge benches, five before seven-judge benches, and three before nine-judge benches. Notable cases include the right to religion issues stemming from the Sabarimala temple dispute, a labor law case pending since 2001, data privacy concerns regarding WhatsApp, and a dispute between the Delhi Government and the Centre over control of services.
2. **Waqf Amendment Act**: Following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Act on April 4, over 120 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging its provisions. A bench led by the former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna agreed to hear the matter, deferring it to be addressed by Chief Justice Gavai on May 15.
3. **Kancha Gachibowli Forest Land Case**: The Telangana government’s plan to auction 400 acres of forested land near the University of Hyderabad for IT parks sparked protests. Justice Gavai’s bench intervened on April 17, issuing a stay on the project after reports of tree removal in the “urban forest” area. This case is also scheduled for a hearing on May 15.
4. **Governor’s Power to Hold Bills**: A recent Supreme Court ruling limited the Governor’s authority to withhold assent to bills passed by the legislature, establishing a timeline for decision-making. A related dispute involving the Kerala Governor is still pending.
5. **Marital Rape Issue**: The criminalization of marital rape remains a critical legal question before the Supreme Court, with various organizations advocating for its recognition.
As Chief Justice Gavai embarks on his term, the legal community and the public will be closely watching how he addresses these pressing issues and works towards alleviating the backlog in the Indian judiciary.
**FAQ**
**What are the main challenges facing Chief Justice BR Gavai?**
Chief Justice BR Gavai faces significant challenges, including a large backlog of cases, critical constitutional matters, and pressing social justice issues such as the Waqf Amendment Act and the criminalization of marital rape.
