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This story is from October 19, 2019

With mini-party, Ranjan Gogoi names Justice Bobde next CJI

In keeping with tradition, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday recommended, exactly a month before his retirement, to the Union government to appoint senior-most SC judge Sharad Arvind Bobde as the next CJI. Ranjan Gogoi handed over a copy of the recommendation letter to Justice Bobde.
With mini-party, Ranjan Gogoi names Justice Bobde next CJI
CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SA Bobde (PTI file photo)
NEW DELHI: In keeping with tradition, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday recommended, exactly a month before his retirement, to the Union government to appoint senior-most SC judge Sharad Arvind Bobde as the next CJI.
Adding a pleasant note to the tradition of writing the recommendation letter to law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, CJI Gogoi ordered pastries for a mini-party at the judges' lounge in the morning where all judges gather before commencing court proceedings at 10.30am.

CJI Gogoi handed over a copy of the recommendation letter to Justice Bobde. The recommendation was in response to Prasad's demi-official letter of October 11 seeking CJI Gogoi's recommendation for his successor. The CJI's letter was delivered to Prasad around 10am.
The CJI's letter read, "I recommend the name of Mr Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India, as my successor. In my opinion, Mr Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde is fit and eminently suitable to hold the office of Chief Justice of India."
Immediately after handing over the letter to Justice Bobde, CJI Gogoi distributed pastries to the SC judges, for whom it was a pleasant surprise. They clapped and congratulated Justice Bobde on being recommended as the next CJI. Justice Bobde, taking a cue from CJI Gogoi, had brought chocolates which he shared with his colleagues.
Earlier, former CJIs would at best hand over a copy of the recommendation letter in his chamber to their successor. And there have been instances in the past when CJIs delayed sending the letter till the very last week of retirement, creating anxiety and uncertainty for their successors.

Asked about the thought behind making a procedural formality into a celebration, CJI Gogoi said, "The country will soon get a new CJI. The process for formal appointment of the new CJI commenced with my recommendation letter. It is surely an occasion to celebrate."
After the court proceedings were over, Justices NV Ramana (who is in line to be CJI after Justice Bobde's retirement in April 2021), and other judges went to the CJI's chamber to congratulate both CJI Gogoi and Justice Bobde.
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