Justice Joymalya Bagchi, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, will on Monday be sworn in as a Supreme Court judge. Once Justice Bagchi takes oath, the Supreme Court will have 33 judges against its sanctioned strength of 34. Justice Bagchi will have a tenure of more than six years in the top court, during which he will also serve as the CJI from May 26, 2031 to October 2, 2031.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna will administer the oath of office to Justice Bagchi in the presence of other Supreme Court judges at a ceremony on the apex court premises. Born on October 3, 1966, Justice Bagchi will assume the office of CJI upon the retirement of Justice KV Viswanathan on May 25, 2031. Justice Bagchi's name was cleared by the central government on March 10 for appointment as a Supreme Court judge.

On March 6, a five-member collegium headed by CJI Khanna recommended his name for Supreme Court judgeship. The collegium -- also comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Vikram Nath noted that no Calcutta High Court judge had risen to become the CJI since the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir on July 18, 2013.

Justice Bagchi was appointed a judge in the Calcutta High Court on June 27, 2011. He was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on January 4, 2021. He was repatriated to the Calcutta High Court on November 8, 2021, and had been functioning there since then. He has served as a High Court judge for more than 13 years and stands at serial number 11 in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges, including chief justices.

During his long tenure, Justice Bagchi acquired significant experience in diverse fields of law. His journey from a passionate law student to a distinguished judge of the Supreme Court of India reflects dedication, professionalism, and an unrelenting pursuit of the rule of law. Upon earning his law degree, Justice Bagchi embarked on a distinguished career as a lawyer at the Calcutta High Court. His meticulous approach, profound understanding of the law, and unshakable moral compass earned him widespread respect among peers and clients alike. Known for his unwavering commitment to justice, he handled complex cases with remarkable precision, ensuring fairness prevailed irrespective of the parties involved. His reputation as a principled and impartial legal practitioner paved the way for his elevation to the judiciary.

Justice Bagchi enrolled as an advocate on November 28, 1991. Twenty years later, he was appointed as a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court, on June 27, 2011. In 2020, he was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. On November 8, 2021, he was repatriated to the Calcutta High Court. Notably, Justice Bagchi's recommendation superseded the names of at least ten senior judges.

As a Judge of High Courts, Justice Bagchi delivered important criminal and constitutional decisions, harping on progressing criminal justice protections such as the right to free legal aid, right to speedy trials in terror offences, and mitigating circumstances in death penalty adjudications. One decision, although later overturned, also emphasised on the right of minorities to administer religious institutions. Justice Bagchi also passed orders against corruption in public recruitment, observing that corruption not only eroded institutional integrity

but also destroyed the social fabric of equal opportunity.