New Delhi, May 6
Mr Justice Bhupinder Nath Kirpal today took over as the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) after President K.R. Narayanan administered oath of office to him at an impressive ceremony at the Ashoka Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Mr Justice Kirpal, who will have a short tenure of six months, took oath in the name of the God to become the 31st CJI. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Home Minister L.K. Advani, Law Minister Arun Jaitley and other Cabinet ministers.

The Supreme Court and high court judges, former Chief Justices of India and leading advocates also attended the brief ceremony.

Mr Justice Kirpal, who will be the CJI till November 8, 2002, is at present heading an 11-judge constitution Bench hearing the question as to who constituted minority under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

The Bench is hearing about 200 writ petitions on the definition of minority and their right to establish and administer educational institution. The verdict in this would be a landmark for many a communities, including the majority community. PTI