Justice Surya Kant, a senior judge of the Supreme Court, has been recommended by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai as his successor. If approved by the government, Justice Kant will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India and the first person from Haryana to hold the top judicial office.
Known for his humility, sharp legal acumen, and commitment to social justice, Justice Kant has risen from a modest background in Hisar to one of the most powerful constitutional positions in the country.
Where was Justice Surya Kant Born?
Justice Surya Kant was born on 10 February 1962 in the village of Petwar in Hisar district, Haryana, into a modest, middle-class family.
Who is the father of Justice Surya Kant?
His father was a Sanskrit teacher at the village school, and his family lived in largely rural surroundings with minimal amenities (for example, until Class VIII, he studied in a village school that had no benches).
What is the Education of Justice Surya Kant?
He completed his graduation from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981, and then obtained his LL.B. from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.
Later, he earned an LL.M. (First Class First) from the Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University in 2011.
Who is the Brother of Justice Surya Kant?
Justice Surya Kant is the youngest among five siblings, and his elder brother Rishi Kant is a retired government teacher.
Who is the Wife of Justice Surya Kant?
Beyond that, publicly available details about his wife, children (daughter or son), or spouse’s identity are not readily found in reliable public profiles.
What is the Net Worth of Justice Surya Kant?
According to the Supreme Court Website, Justice Surya Kant has 3 valuable watches but does not have vehicle. According to the website, he also has real estate in Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Hisar, but no vehicles
What is the caste of Justice Surya Kant?
His caste background is noted in sources as from a Brahmin family.
Judicial Career of Justice Surya Kant?
He began his legal practice in 1984 at the District Court, Hisar, and in 1985 moved to practice at the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, specializing in constitutional, service, and civil matters.
- On 7 July 2000, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana.
- He was designated Senior Advocate in March 2001.
- Elevated to be a permanent Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court on 9 January 2004.
- Assumed charge as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on 5 October 2018.
- Elevated to the Supreme Court of India on 24 May 2019.
- His Supreme Court tenure will end on 9 February 2027 (upon reaching the retirement age of 65) if he follows the convention.
- He is next in line to become Chief Justice of India, with expected service from late 2025 until February 2027.
Political Views of Justice Surya Kant
While Justice Kant is a sitting judge and does not hold a political office per se, his public remarks and judgments show some consistent themes:
- He emphasizes access to justice for the poor and downtrodden, reflecting his rural background empathy.
- He supports the autonomy of the judiciary and the collegium system for judicial selections.
- On environmental issues, he has urged judicial-executive cooperation, for example, on protecting the fragile Palk Strait ecology.
Because judges must remain impartial, he has avoided publicly aligning with any political party; however, he has strong views on constitutional values, equality, and the rule of law.
Landmark Judgments of Justice Surya Kant
Justice Kant has been part of significant benches and given important orders, such as:
- On the Punjab & Haryana High Court bench, he passed landmark orders, including recognizing the right of jail inmates to conjugal visits or artificial insemination as fundamental rights.
- He struck down certain land acquisitions in Haryana, finding a nexus of politicians and builders, thus reinforcing protections for property rights and fair compensation.
In the Supreme Court, he was part of benches dealing with high-profile constitutional matters, including free speech, democracy, and environmental protection.
