0 Questions, 1 Debate: Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi’s Six Years in Rajya Sabha

The six-year tenure of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in the Rajya Sabha has come to an end, with parliamentary records showing limited participation during his time in the Upper House.

According to data compiled by PRS Legislative Research and Rajya Sabha records, Gogoi did not ask any questions, introduce any private member’s bills, or make special mentions during his six-year term as a nominated Member of Parliament. He participated in one debate and had an average attendance of around 53 percent, lower than the average attendance of about 80 percent for Rajya Sabha MPs.

From Chief Justice to Parliament

Gogoi retired from the Supreme Court of India in November 2019 after serving as the 46th Chief Justice of India for about 13 months. In March 2020, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, becoming the first former Chief Justice of India to be nominated to the Upper House.

As Chief Justice, he headed the Constitution Bench that delivered the landmark verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid title dispute in Ayodhya.

Gogoi’s Response on Parliamentary Participation

Responding to questions about his parliamentary record, Gogoi said he did not participate in proceedings merely for the sake of participation.

“I didn’t ask questions for the sake of asking questions. I didn’t participate in the proceedings for the sake of participation because I’m not a professional politician who needs to make a mark for a rise in career politics,” The Print quoted Gogoi. 

He added that his contributions were made in other forums, including interactions with foreign delegations, heads of mission, and law enforcement agencies on topics such as the evolution of the Constitution, the functioning of its institutions, and the relationship between the judiciary and legislature.

According to him, these meetings were conducted under the auspices of the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, which functions under the leadership of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Gogoi also said he addressed law enforcement personnel, particularly officers from the Delhi Police, on aspects of the three new criminal laws that recently came into force.

Reason for Accepting Rajya Sabha Nomination

Explaining his decision to accept the Rajya Sabha nomination, Gogoi had earlier said he believed that the legislature and judiciary should work together for nation-building.

“My presence in Parliament will be an opportunity to project the views of the judiciary before the legislature and vice-versa,” he had said.

In his 2021 memoir, Justice for the Judge, Gogoi wrote that he accepted the nomination to raise issues related to the judiciary and the Northeast region, where he hails from.

Only Parliamentary Speech

Gogoi delivered his first and only speech in Parliament in August 2023, more than three years after his nomination. He participated in the debate on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

During the debate, Gogoi supported the bill, stating that Parliament had the authority to legislate for Union Territories, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, under Article 239AA of the Constitution.

Walkout During Speech

During his maiden speech, several women MPs from opposition parties staged a walkout over past sexual harassment allegations against him.

In April 2019, a former junior court officer had accused Gogoi of sexual harassment. An in-house committee of the Supreme Court, led by former Chief Justice S. A. Bobde, later cleared him of the allegations.

Before entering Parliament, Ranjan Gogoi served as the 46th Chief Justice of India and led the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India that delivered the landmark verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid title dispute. His six-year tenure in the Rajya Sabha has now concluded.


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