Supreme Court 2025: Leadership Shifts, Key Retirements & Major High-Profile Pending Cases

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The Supreme Court reopened on January 2, 2025, ushering in an important phase under CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who assumed office on November 11, 2024. In just two months, CJI Khanna has taken impactful steps, including halting surveys of mosques and dargah, signaling a shift from his predecessor’s approach. To tackle case backlogs, he paused regular hearings in late 2024, leading to a notable 16% rise in case disposal in November.

Supreme Court 2025: Leadership Shifts, Key Retirements & Major High-Profile Pending Cases

NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court’s reopening on January 2, 2025, marks the beginning of a crucial chapter in its history. With the retirement of former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud now behind us, the focus has shifted to CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who took office on November 11, 2024.In his nearly two months as Chief Justice, CJI Khanna has made measured yet impactful decisions. Notably, he temporarily halted surveys of mosques and dargahs, signaling a marked departure from his predecessor’s approach. To address case backlogs, he suspended regular hearings during the last 45 days of 2024, resulting in a 16% increase in the disposal rate in November alone.

The Year 2025 from the binoculars of Supreme Court of India , looks as follows:

Leadership Transition and Judicial Approach

Shift in Judicial Philosophy: CJI Sanjiv Khanna’s temporary stay on mosque and dargah surveys signals a more cautious and balanced approach compared to his predecessor, former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud.
Focus on Reducing Pendency: By pausing regular hearings in late 2024, CJI Khanna prioritized case disposal, leading to a 16% increase in November. This strategic move shows his administrative focus on efficiency.

Challenges in Managing Pendency

Backlog of Cases: Despite progress, the Court faces an overwhelming 82,972 pending cases, underscoring the need for sustained efforts and innovative solutions.
Resumption of Regular Hearings: With hearings set to restart, the Court must balance the influx of new cases with the backlog, testing the durability of recent improvements.

Multiple Leadership Changes in 2025

Three CJIs in One Year: If seniority is followed, Justice B.R. Gavai will succeed CJI Khanna in May, and Justice Surya Kant will take over in November. This rapid succession last occurred in 2017.
Concerns Over Stability: Frequent transitions may disrupt administrative continuity, particularly regarding long-term institutional goals like case listing reforms and resource allocation.
Need for Alignment: Effective coordination among the three CJIs will be critical to maintain progress on judicial efficiency.

Judicial Diversity Under Scrutiny

Upcoming Retirements: Seven retirements are expected in 2025, beginning with Justice C.T. Ravikumar. Justice Bela Trivedi’s retirement in June will leave Justice, B.V. Nagarathna as the sole woman judge, highlighting gender imbalance.
Representation of Minorities: The bench currently includes only one Muslim and one Christian judge. Collegium appointments in 2025 will be a litmus test for addressing this lack of diversity.

Significant Cases on the Docket

Challenge to the Places of Worship Act (PoW):
- Scheduled for February 17, this case involves politically sensitive issues that could affect the nation’s socio-political fabric.
- The Court will need to navigate the PoW Act’s historical and legal complexities, with potential ramifications for communal harmony.
R.G. Kar Rape and Murder Case:
- Set for March, the case demands an independent monitoring committee, as the victim’s parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the CBI’s investigation.
- This will test the judiciary’s ability to ensure accountability in high-profile criminal matters.

Administrative Challenges

Institutional Efficiency: Improving case listing practices and maintaining momentum on pendency reduction are ongoing priorities.
Need for Long-term Vision: Frequent leadership changes and diversity issues demand a cohesive strategy to strengthen the judiciary’s institutional framework.

Impact on Legal and Social Landscape

Judicial Responsibility: The Court’s decisions in 2025 will not only shape its internal functioning but also have far-reaching consequences for the legal, political, and social spheres in India.
Public Expectations: The judiciary’s ability to deliver timely and balanced judgments will be under scrutiny as the nation faces critical legal challenges.

Expansion of the Court’s Role in Environmental Oversight

Delhi Pollution Monitoring: Justice A.S. Oka expressed an intent to broaden the scope of judicial intervention by monitoring air quality in cities across India, not just the National Capital Region (NCR).
Potential Nationwide Impact: This shift could set a precedent for proactive judicial involvement in addressing environmental crises on a national scale, emphasizing the right to clean air as a fundamental right.

Suo Motu Case on Prison Discrimination

Caste, Gender, and Disability-Based Discrimination: Following the landmark Sukanya Shantha judgment, which prohibited caste-based discrimination in prisons, the Court may now take suo motu cognizance of systemic discrimination inside Indian prisons.
Broader Reforms in Prisons: The case could address broader issues, such as poor living conditions, lack of rehabilitation programs, and inadequate healthcare facilities for marginalized groups in prisons.

Gig Workers and Social Security

Scheduled Hearing on January 20: The Court is set to hear arguments on whether gig workers, such as delivery personnel and ride-hailing app drivers, qualify as “unorganised workers” under existing laws.
Implications for Labour Rights: A favorable judgment could bring gig workers under the ambit of social security benefits, transforming India’s informal economy and addressing exploitation in the gig sector.

Constitution Bench Matters

31 Constitution Bench Cases Pending: The backlog includes high-stakes matters requiring authoritative judicial interpretation.
Bangalore Water Supply Case: A nine-judge bench will revisit the 1978 ruling that expanded the definition of ‘industries,’ which significantly broadened the scope of labour laws.
Sedition Law Constitutionality: A five-judge bench is yet to decide on the validity of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, a colonial-era law that has been criticized for its misuse in suppressing dissent.

Unresolved Gender Justice Cases

Marital Rape Exception: The pending challenge to the exception under Section 375 IPC, which permits marital rape, remains a critical issue. Its resolution could redefine women’s autonomy and marital dynamics in India.
Criminalization of Triple Talaq: Although frequently listed in 2024, this case has not been substantively heard. Revisiting it could clarify ambiguities in its application and enforcement.

Contentious Political Issues

One Nation, One Election: A proposed constitutional amendment for simultaneous national and state elections remains in limbo. The Court’s interpretation of its feasibility and legality could have far-reaching political consequences.
Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand: The state’s plan to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in January 2025 may attract judicial scrutiny, particularly if challenged on grounds of religious freedom and constitutional rights.
Judiciary’s Role as Guardian of Democracy: With an executive keen on advancing its policy agenda, the Supreme Court’s role in upholding constitutional values and ensuring checks and balances will be pivotal.

Pending Listing and Hearing Challenges

Regular Hearing Schedule: Many critical cases, such as the marital rape exception and triple talaq, have been listed multiple times without substantial hearings. Under CJI Khanna’s leadership, the Court’s efficiency in scheduling and prioritizing cases will be tested.

Judicial Independence and Accountability

Executive-Legislative-Judiciary Balance: In 2025, the Court’s engagement with contentious political and social issues will test its independence and ability to uphold democratic principles.
Institutional Credibility: Effective handling of sensitive cases and pending constitutional matters will reinforce public confidence in the judiciary.

The Supreme Court’s docket in 2025 reflects a blend of urgent social, political, and constitutional challenges. Proactive interventions in areas like environmental protection, prison reforms, and labour rights, alongside addressing critical pending cases, will define its role in shaping India’s democratic and legal framework. The judiciary’s ability to act as a counterweight to executive overreach while addressing systemic inequities will be closely watched.

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