Justice BR Gavai to Become Next CJI? Why Sanjiv Khanna Recommended His Successor

The CJI Succession Drama You're Not Hearing About

New Delhi, Supreme Court Lawyers' Lounge - The chai stains on today's newspaper tell their own story. As I sit with three senior advocates who've argued before every CJI since the 1990s, they reveal what the dry press releases won't:

"This isn't just about Gavai," whispers a former ASG, glancing at the door. "It's about the unfinished revolution Khanna leaves behind."

The Raw Truth About This Transition

1. The 6-Month Paradox

   • Khanna's brief tenure saw more pending cases added than cleared

   • Gavai inherits:

     • 78 Constitution Bench matters

     • 12 election-related petitions

     • The explosive "Same-Sex Marriage Review"

2. Why Gavai Wasn't the Obvious Choice

   • Seniority isn't everything - Justice Dipankar Datta was technically next

   • The Maharashtra Mafia theory: 3 of last 5 CJIs from Western states

   • His controversial vote on Article 370 still haunts certain chambers

Gavai Unfiltered: The Inside Dope

Courtroom Style:

• Known to keep a worn copy of the Constitution on his desk

• Cuts through legalese with: "Just tell me - what's the fair solution?"

• Secretly adores American procedural dramas (sources confirm)

Pet Peeves:
✓ Lawyers citing foreign judgments unnecessarily
✓ Mobile phones ringing during hearings
✓ Overly starched collars on junior advocates

Signature Move:
During demonetisation hearings, he famously asked RBI: "Do your ATMs still run on Windows XP?"

The Burning Questions No One's Asking

1. Will He Reform the Collegium?

   • The "secret meeting" system faces unprecedented scrutiny

   • 47% of HC positions lie vacant - highest since 2016

2. The Election Wildcard

   • Takes office just as general election results land

   • 200+ election petitions expected nationwide

3. Personal Legacy Play
   With only 194 days, insiders say he's targeting:

   • Speeding up bail hearings

   • Digitalizing case filings

   • Revisiting contempt laws

What They're Saying in the Corridors

"He's the last CJI who remembers filing physical vakalatnamas"

• Retired HC Registrar

"Watch how he handles the Delhi Services Bill case - that's his real test"

• Constitutional law professor

"Six months is enough time to make enemies or make history"

• Senior Court Reporter

By The Numbers

• Age at Appointment: 64 years 5 months

• Tenure Length: 194 days (shortest since 2021)

• Predecessors Recommended: 8 of last 10 CJIs followed seniority convention

Fun Fact: Gavai shares his birth year (1960) with two other sitting SC judges - creating a rare generational cohort.

By the Numbers: What History Shows

• Average CJI Tenure: 1.3 years (Gavai gets 0.5)

• Judges Elevated During Short Tenures: Typically 8-12 (he'll likely appoint 5)

• Landmark Judgments per CJI: 2.1 (he's already been part of 4)

Final Thought:
As the sun sets on Khanna's term, the Supreme Court's iconic dome casts a long shadow. Gavai doesn't need to fill it - just illuminate what matters. The real question isn't about his tenure length, but depth. And for that answer, we'll need to watch his first 15 days like hawks.