Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, even as old allegations of misconduct against him remain unresolved.
Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, even as old allegations of misconduct against him remain unresolved.
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President Droupadi Murmu officially confirmed his appointment, with Justice Kant set to assume office on November 24, 2025, following the retirement of Justice B.R. Gavai. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions—formal congratulations from officials and legal bodies, but also renewed concern over past allegations that were never fully addressed.
Justice Surya Kant, a native of Hisar in Haryana, was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. He is known for his role in key rulings, including those related to Article 370 and electoral bonds. However, his career has also been shadowed by several controversies:
1. In 2012, a real estate agent accused him of manipulating property deals worth crores of rupees, allegedly undervaluing assets to avoid taxes.
2. In 2017, a prisoner in Punjab filed a petition claiming that Justice Kant accepted bribes in exchange for bail in eight cases. The matter was never taken up by the collegium.
3. In 2018, despite these allegations, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and no formal inquiry was carried out.
4. In 2019, a report by Bar and Bench referenced a letter from then-CJI A.K. Goel that mentioned several accusations, including an affidavit from a Chandigarh businessman alleging illegal undervaluation of properties.
Despite these unresolved matters, the Supreme Court collegium has now endorsed his elevation to the post of Chief Justice of India. Critics argue that this decision highlights a lack of transparency and accountability in the judicial appointment process.
While none of the allegations have been proven, the absence of any formal inquiry raises concerns about fairness and credibility within the system. Observers believe that this episode may renew calls for reforms, such as independent oversight of judicial conduct and greater scrutiny of collegium decisions.
As Justice Surya Kant prepares to take charge of the Supreme Court, both the legal community and the public will be watching closely—looking not only at his judgments but also at how the judiciary addresses questions of integrity and institutional trust.
