File Picture : The Indian Express
The Chief Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra has recommended the name of Justice Ranjan Gogoi as his successor in a letter to the government. Justice Gogoi is the senior-most judge of the top court after Chief Justice Misra.
As per convention, the outgoing Chief Justice sends the recommendation for his successor 30 days before he is to demit office, so that the Chief Justice-designate is named well in time.
If the recommendation is cleared by the Central government, Justice Gogoi will be administered the oath of office by President Ram Nath Kovind on October 3.
CJI Misra is retiring on October 2, but the day being a national holiday on account of birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, October 1 will be his last working day.
The Union law ministry had in August last week written to the Chief Justice requesting him to recommend the name of his successor.
Conventionally, the law ministry asks the outgoing Chief Justice to recommend the name of the judge who would replace him.
Justice Gogoi is one of four Supreme Court judges who had held an unprecedented press conference in January this year, raising concerns about administration in the apex court, saying it was “not in order”. The other three judges were – Justice J Chelameswar (now retired), Justice MB Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph.
