Justice Uday Umesh Lalit was sworn-in as the 49th Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu at a function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.
Justice Lalit will continue to remain in office for 74 days, till November 8, when he retires at the age of 65.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, former Chief Justice NV Ramana, judges of Supreme Court and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
On Friday, Justice Lalit highlighted three areas of his focus his 74-day tenure as the head of the judiciary. He said he intends to work on listing of cases before constitution benches and matters which are specially referred to three-judge benches. He said he will strive hard to ensure that at least one constitution bench is functioning in the Supreme Court throughout the year.
According to the seniority and protocol and statute of law, after Justice Lalit’s retirement on November 8, Justice DY Chadrachud is next in line for heading the Indian Judiciary and he will hold office for exactly two years before retiring on November 10, 2024.
