The decks were cleared for the next Chief Justice of India as the President has given the assent for appointing Supreme Court judge P Sathasivam as the next CJI. He will assume office after the CJI Altamas Kabir retires on July18.
According to the official sources, the process of Justice Sathasivam’s elevation as CJI began after present CJI recommended him to the Centre. The law Ministry forwarded this proposal to the President who gives final assent and issues warrant of appointment.
Aged 64, Justice Sathasivam will be the 40th CJI who will have tenure till April 26, 2014. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Justice Sathasivam joined as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court in January 1996 following which he was transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court in April 2007. His appointment as a Supreme Court judge was on August 21, 2007.