CM Revanth Reddy attends Justice Surya Kant's CJI swearing-in

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was among the few chief ministers who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 24, 2025. The solemn event took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office. Justice Surya Kant, known for his landmark judgments such as the abrogation of Article 370 and rulings on the Pegasus spyware case, began his nearly 15-month tenure, which will conclude in February 2027.

The ceremony was a grand affair, graced by top dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Justice B.R. Gavai, the outgoing CJI, was also present and symbolically handed over the official CJI vehicle to his successor, underscoring the collegial spirit of the judiciary. Justice Surya Kant hails from Haryana's Hisar district and has a distinguished legal career, having been elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. His judicial tenure has been marked by significant contributions to constitutional law and efforts to reduce India's judicial backlog of over 80 million cases.

Notably absent from the ceremony were senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. Gandhi's boycott was interpreted by many as a protest against the judiciary’s handling of certain democratic issues, including alleged electoral irregularities. This stood in stark contrast to Revanth Reddy's participation, making him one of the few Congress-affiliated chief ministers present.

Revanth Reddy’s visit to Delhi for the swearing-in was seen as both a formal duty and a strategic move. His recent frequent visits to the capital have included meetings to discuss Telangana’s political dynamics, especially amid internal tensions within the state Congress party. As Telangana navigates political challenges and infrastructure demands, Revanth Reddy’s active engagement in the national capital signals a balancing act of governance and strategic political stewardship. Meanwhile, Justice Surya Kant’s journey from a modest background to the highest judicial office remains an inspiring narrative for the nation. This landmark event marks the beginning of a pivotal chapter for India’s Supreme Court and its judicial future.