On November 18th, 2019, Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde took oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India. A highly esteemed and respected figure in the legal fraternity, Justice Bobde is considered one of the most influential and powerful personalities in the justice system. He has had a long and illustrious career in the judicial system. His appointment as the Chief Justice of India is a testament to his immense legal understanding and dedication to his profession.

Background of Justice Lalit

Justice Lalit, born in 1954, hails from a family of lawyers and is the son of former Supreme Court Judge Justice T.L. Vishwanath Shetty. He was appointed the 49th Chief Justice of India on August 28th, 2019. He is the longest-serving judge in the Supreme Court of India, having served for over 15 years. He has a long list of achievements, some of which include being a part of the three-judge bench that decided the famous 2G spectrum case, being appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, and being appointed as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. He has written several judgments and has also delivered lectures on various topics. He is known for his intellectual and scholarly approach to law. He is also a member of the Bar Council of India and is known for his commitment to the rule of law. He is well-regarded for his ability to provide sound legal advice and reasoned judgments.

Previous Stint of Justice Lalit 

Justice Lalit previously served as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. He has had a long and illustrious career as a judge and has served in various posts in various High Courts in the country. He was appointed Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Jharkhand High Court, Punjab, and Haryana High Court. He has also served as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court. His tenure in these courts has been marked by his determination to uphold justice and the Constitution of India. 

He has been instrumental in passing landmark judgments in several important cases and has also been credited with reforming judicial procedures in some of the High Courts he served. He has also been praised for his administrative abilities and for improving the functioning of the respective Courts. With his appointment as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Lalit is set to bring about a wave of change in the country’s judicial system.

Oath-taking Ceremony of Justice Lalit 

Justice Lalit took oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India on November 18th, 2019. The oath-taking ceremony was held in the Supreme Court at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Justice Ranjan Gogoi, the outgoing Chief Justice of India, presided over the ceremony. The event was attended by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, and Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. 

The ceremony started with the traditional invocation of the gods, followed by the national anthem. Justice Lalit was invited to take the oath of office as the Chief Justice of India in the presence of the President. After taking the oath, Justice Lalit was presented with the official seal of the Supreme Court of India. The President then addressed the gathering and congratulated Justice Lalit for taking oath as the Chief Justice of India. He wished Justice Lalit good luck and encouraged him to continue the good work of his predecessor. 

The Prime Minister and the Vice President congratulated Justice Lalit on taking the oath and wished him success in his new role. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of the rule of law and justice in a democracy. He also encouraged Justice Lalit to uphold the spirit of the constitution and ensure that justice is delivered unbiasedly and fairly. 

Justice Lalit thanked all the dignitaries at the event for their kind words and good wishes. He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and responsibility of becoming the Chief Justice of India. He promised to uphold the trust of the people in the Indian judiciary and to ensure that justice was delivered without fear or favour. He also vowed to maintain the highest standards of integrity and impartiality in his new role. 

Justice Lalit’s oath-taking ceremony was a grand event and a great occasion for the Indian judiciary. It marks the beginning of a new era, with Justice Lalit promising to uphold the country’s spirit of justice and fairness. All eyes are now on Justice Lalit as he takes charge as the Chief Justice of India.

Role and Responsibilities of the Chief Justice of India 

The 49th Chief Justice of India, Justice Lalit, took his oath of office on September 18th, 2019. As the Chief Justice of India, Justice Lalit’s primary role is to serve as the head of the Indian judiciary. He is responsible for the efficient functioning of the Supreme Court and the High Courts and is the last line of defence of the Indian Constitution. He is also responsible for appointing subordinate judicial officers, such as district and session judges, and is required to ensure that the judiciary functions impartially. 

As the Chief Justice of India, Justice Lalit is also expected to ensure that justice is dispensed promptly and that the legal system is effective and efficient. Additionally, he is responsible for setting up judicial academies and promoting legal education. He is also responsible for appointing Supreme Court and High Courts judges and transferring judges from one court to another. 

Lastly, Justice Lalit is expected to maintain the judiciary’s independence and protect the citizens’ fundamental rights.

Challenges Awaiting Justice Lalit

Justice Lalit has taken oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India, taking the helm of the country’s highest judiciary branch. He succeeds Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who retired on November 17th, 2019. As the Chief Justice, Justice Lalit will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Supreme Court, as well as deciding cases on various matters. 

The challenges awaiting Justice Lalit are numerous and pressing. He will have to take decisive action in resolving the backlog of cases piled up in the court. More than 60,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, with an average pendency rate of 2 to 3 years. He will also have to tackle the issue of judicial corruption, which has been a major concern for the Indian judiciary. He will be expected to bring reforms to ensure justice is delivered swiftly and fairly. 

Furthermore, Justice Lalit will have to lead the court in addressing the numerous social issues brought up in the country. These include gender discrimination, poverty, education and healthcare access, the environment, and more. He will also have to take a stance on the controversial issues of religious freedom, freedom of speech, and LGBT rights. 

Justice Lalit has been given the tough task of leading the country’s highest judicial branch, and it remains to be seen how he will tackle the many challenges that await him.

Conclusion

Justice Lalit taking oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India is a significant milestone in the country’s history. He will be remembered for his hard work, dedication, and commitment to justice and the rule of law. He has made great strides in the justice field and has been instrumental in paving the way for a more equitable justice system. His tenure as Chief Justice of India will surely be remembered for his contribution to the cause of justice and legal reform. The nation is looking forward to his leadership and contribution to the cause of justice and legal reform.