New Delhi: Justice K G Balakrishnan took oath as the 37th Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Sunday.
He is the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court and the first Dalit ever to occupy the post.
The appointment has been approved by President APJ Abdul Kalam. Justice Balakrishnan replaces chief justice Y K Sabharwal who retired on January 14, 2007.
He will stay the Chief Justice till he retires on May 12, 2010 - which makes his tenure three years and four months long.
“Even though I am happy, I am highly conscious of the heavy responsibility," Justice Balakrishnan told PTI on Saturday.
He said the court should stand by the side of the common man. However, this does not mean that it should be 'partial', he said adding the courts should hear the voice of the poor.
Indian judiciary was highly reputed in the world for its independence and impartiality, he said. He hoped that he would get the full cooperation from the legal fraternity.
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