Jagdish Singh Khehar, the first Sikh Chief Justice of India (CJI), has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan Award on for his remarkable service to the Indian judiciary. Recognized for his unwavering commitment to justice, he played a key role in shaping India’s legal framework and upholding constitutional values. His fearless judgments and dedication continue to inspire the legal community.
NEW DELHI: Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, the first Sikh Chief Justice of India (CJI), has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding contributions to the Indian judiciary. This prestigious award recognizes his role in shaping India’s legal system and upholding the principles of justice.
“Whether it is Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Muslims or Jains, everybody should be proud of his own religion to be an Indian. Everybody should be proud of his own ethnicity. Proud of being an Indian and that is what the Constitution is all about,” – JUSTICE JS KHEHAR
As the first Sikh Chief Justice of India, he made many important decisions that demonstrated his strong commitment to the rule of law. His fearless approach often led him to deliver bold rulings, even when they placed him at odds with the political executive.
Throughout his career, Justice Khehar presided over several landmark judgments, reinforcing his belief in constitutional integrity and the protection of individual rights. His judicial legacy is admired for upholding justice and ensuring that every individual’s rights are safeguarded under the law.
His contributions to the Indian legal system continue to inspire young legal professionals and reinforce the importance of an independent judiciary. His Padma Vibhushan honor in 2025 further acknowledges his dedication to justice, fairness, and the rule of law.
EDUCATION AND CAREER OF JUSTICE KHEHAR- AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF JUSTICE
Born on 28 August 1952 in Nairobi, Kenya, Justice Khehar became an Indian citizen in 1965. He pursued his early legal education at Government Law College, Chandigarh, in 1974, and later attended Panjab University, Chandigarh, for his law degree.
“All citizens are equal, they are neither inferior not superior to others. That is why we have a President who is a Dalit and who spent his childhood in a mud house, a Vice-President who was an agriculturist and used to put up posters and a Prime Minister who used to work as tea vendor. I was not born as a citizen of this country but when I became a citizen, I became equal to others and finally became Chief Justice of the country” – Justice JS Khehar
After completing his education, Justice Khehar enrolled as an advocate in 1979 and built a strong legal career. He practiced mainly in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and the Supreme Court of India. Apart from his legal practice, he also took up a teaching role at Panjab University’s Law Faculty from 1982 to 1986.
In 1992, he was appointed as the Additional Advocate General for the State of Punjab and later became the Senior Standing Counsel for the Union Territory of Chandigarh. His expertise and contributions to law led to his designation as a Senior Advocate in 1995.
After twenty years at the Bar, Justice Khehar was elevated to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1999. He also served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on two occasions between 2008 and 2009. A decade after his appointment as a judge, he was promoted as the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court in November 2009. He was later transferred to the Karnataka High Court in August 2010.
On 13 September 2011, Justice Khehar received his final judicial appointment as a Supreme Court judge. Justice Khehar served as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from January 2017 to August 2017. During his tenure, he strongly defended the independence of the judiciary, especially when it was being questioned by the executive. One of his most important rulings came in 2015, when he was part of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) case.
In this judgment, Justice Khehar and the majority of the Bench ruled that the NJAC Act was unconstitutional. This decision reaffirmed the importance of the judicial collegium system in appointing judges to the higher courts.
SOME OF JUSTICE KHEHAR’S SIGNIFICANT JUDICIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Some of Justice Khehar’s most important judicial contributions are as follows:
Defending Religious Freedom – The Triple Talaq Verdict
In 2017, Justice Khehar led a multi-faith bench that ruled on one of the most controversial cases of his career, the Triple Talaq (instant divorce) case. This case had gained nationwide attention as many people viewed the practice as unfair to women.
Justice Khehar, in his minority verdict, upheld the practice, stating that “Triple Talaq was an integral part of the Muslim community’s religious practice” and was therefore protected under freedom of religion in the Constitution.
However, the majority of the bench struck down the practice as unconstitutional. His ruling showed his strong commitment to upholding religious rights even when they clashed with social reforms.
Right to Privacy – Strengthening Personal Freedoms
Justice Khehar played a crucial role in expanding personal rights through a landmark 2017 ruling that declared the right to privacy a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
This case revolved around concerns over government surveillance and the Aadhaar biometric identification system.
A nine-judge bench, led by Khehar, ruled that “the right to privacy was intrinsic to the right to life and liberty”, thus protecting citizens from undue government interference. His decision was a historic moment in Indian law, strengthening privacy rights at a time when digital surveillance was becoming a major concern.
Upholding Judicial Integrity – Contempt of Court Case
Justice Khehar was known for his strict stance on judicial accountability. In 2017, he led a bench that sentenced Madras High Court judge C.S. Karnan to six months in prison for contempt of court. This was an unprecedented ruling, as no sitting judge had ever been imprisoned in India’s judicial history.
The decision sent a clear message about the importance of judicial integrity and demonstrated his resolve in ensuring that even judges must be held accountable.
Defending Democracy – The Arunachal Pradesh Case
Another major ruling came in 2016, when Justice Khehar led the Supreme Court bench that overturned President’s Rule in Arunachal Pradesh. His verdict reinstated the democratically elected Congress government led by Nabam Tuki after it had been dismissed.
This ruling was a landmark decision protecting India’s federal structure, as it prevented arbitrary political interference by the executive. Many saw this as a victory for democracy, as it upheld the constitutional principles of fair governance and political stability.
Justice Khehar’s judicial career has been marked by bold decisions, a strong belief in constitutional values, and unwavering dedication to justice. His contributions have left a lasting impact on India’s legal and democratic framework.
A RECOGNITION TO HIS CONTRIBUTION
Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar’s contribution to Indian law and the judiciary’s independence is truly remarkable. His legacy is one of strength, wisdom, and dedication to constitutional values. Throughout his career, he upheld justice with integrity and ensured that the judiciary remained free from external influence. His decisions have had a lasting impact on the legal system, reinforcing individual rights and judicial independence.
His recognition with the Padma Vibhushan is a well-deserved tribute to his unwavering commitment to justice and fairness. He has inspired generations of legal professionals with his fearless approach to delivering justice, even in the face of political pressure. His firm belief in the rule of law and constitutional principles continues to shape legal discourse in India.
As we reflect on his journey, it is clear that Justice Khehar’s work has strengthened the judiciary’s role in democracy. His contributions will remain invaluable, guiding future legal minds and ensuring that the judiciary remains a pillar of justice and equality. His legacy will continue to inspire those who believe in the power of the law to create a just and fair society.
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