CJI Dipak Misra writes to govt, recommends Justice Ranjan Gogoi as successor

Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra has written to the government recommending that Justice Ranjan Gogoi succeed him.

Gogoi is expected to be sworn in as chief justice on October 3. Misra will step down a day earlier on October 2.

Gogoi, if he becomes the next chief justice, will stay in the post till November 17 next year.

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Misra recommending Gogoi take over after him is in keeping with the tradition of an outgoing CJI recommending that the second seniormost judge take over after him.

With undera month left for CJI Misra to demit office, speculation had been rife that the succession might take an ugly turn.

There had been rumours earlier about the government introducing a bill to increase the retirement age of judges, but that speculation was put to rest by the law ministry.

Gogoi and the three seniormost judges after him have had a run in with Chief Justice Misra.

In January, the four judges — Justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur and Kurian Joseph — held an unprecedented press conference.

The judges hinted they were unhappy with the functioning of the court.

The press conference, the like of which has never been seen before in India, was read as a virtual revolt against Chief Justice Misra.