CJI NV Ramana retires today: What his eight years at the Supreme Court were like

Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana is retiring today, after his 16-month tenure as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. He is the 48th Chief Justice of India.

According to NV Ramana’s recommendation, his successor will be Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, who will take charge of the Chief Justice’s Office from tomorrow, August 27. Justice Lalit will, however, have a tenure of only three months.  

The proceedings of CJI Ramana's ceremonial bench are being live-streamed, in a first for the Supreme Court. As per custom, the outgoing Chief Justice of India shares the bench with the next Chief Justice of India on the last working day. Today, CJI Ramana will share the bench with CJI-designate Justice UU Lalit and Justice Hima Kohli. 

How is the CJI's tenure decided? A Supreme Court judge retires at 65. That means the judge can hold office as long as he/she reaches the required age for retirement.

Take a look at the previous Chief Justices and their tenure:

CJI NV Ramana’s career trajectory as a Judge:

Notable cases: During his eight-year tenure as Chief Justice of India and Judge of the Supreme Court, NV Ramana sat on 657 Benches and authored 174 Judgments. Out of all the types of cases, he has the maximum seating as a Judge for criminal cases. 
 

CJI Ramana is known for his famous speeches and strong observations. Some of them are:

The CJI said this during the launch of NALSA in May 2021. Ramana started his career as a journalist and from 1979 to 1980, he worked with the Eenadu newspaper. 

(while supporting the collegium system) 

(This was Ramana’s observation during the Sedition Law hearing. A verdict in the case is awaited.) 

(Ramana said it during the fifth Sri Lavu Venkateswarlu Endowment Lecture, Siddhartha Law College, Vijayawada.)