Over his eight-year career on the Supreme Court, he participated in 38 constitution benches and delivered over 500 judgments, many of which reshaped society and the law, from the Ayodhya land dispute to the decriminalization of consensual gay relationships and the abrogation of Article 370.
NEW DELHI: Justice D.Y. Chandrachud concluded his tenure as the 50th Chief Justice of India on Sunday(10th Nov), marking the end of a two-year term distinguished by transformative rulings and administrative reforms that left a lasting impact on India’s judicial landscape.
Over his eight-year career on the Supreme Court, he participated in 38 constitution benches and delivered over 500 judgments, many of which reshaped society and the law, from the Ayodhya land dispute to the decriminalization of consensual gay relationships and the abrogation of Article 370.
Known for his succinct observations, Justice Chandrachud’s legacy includes reforms that improved judicial accessibility, such as an accessibility audit of the Supreme Court, as well as a new ‘Lady Justice’ statue representing inclusivity and Indian identity.
In his tenure, he expanded the scope of fundamental rights, as seen in landmark rulings that established privacy as a fundamental right, expanded abortion rights under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act to include unmarried and transgender individuals, and declared the legality of living wills for terminally-ill patients.
His verdicts, blending academic rigor with a progressive interpretation of law, are expected to inform future rulings and legal studies.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Y.V. Chandrachud the longest-serving Chief Justice in India Justice Chandrachud brought a contemporary approach to administrative reforms, advancing court digitization through the e-Courts project. He leaves a complex legacy in areas such as the revocation of Article 370 and the Supreme Court’s decision not to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriage.
Educated at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and Harvard Law School, Chandrachud served previously as a judge in the Bombay and Allahabad High Courts, known not only for his legal insights but also for his passion for cricket.
Early Legal Advocacy
CJI D.Y. Chandrachud’s commitment to social causes took root during his career as an advocate. In 1997, he represented a laborer who was terminated from his job after contracting HIV/AIDS. Dr. Chandrachud argued that the worker’s health status alone should not impact his Right to Livelihood. The Bombay High Court agreed, ruling that the laborer’s condition was not a valid reason to deny him employment, as he remained capable of performing his duties.
Dr. Chandrachud also advocated for marginalized groups, including bonded women laborers and religious and linguistic minorities.
Alongside his advocacy, he served as a Visiting Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law at the University of Bombay from 1988 to 1997, contributing to legal academia while practicing.
CJI Chandrachud as Senior Advocate and Additional Solicitor General
In 1998, Dr. Chandrachud, at 38, was designated a Senior Advocate—an honor typically reserved for advocates over the age of 40. Shortly after, he became the Additional Solicitor General of India, holding this role until his appointment as a judge on the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000.
Judicial Tenure
As a judge at the Bombay High Court, Justice Chandrachud experienced a transformation in his judicial approach, notably due to his collaboration with Justice Ranjana Desai. He credits her with helping him gain a feminist perspective on the law, especially in cases involving crimes against women. This evolved viewpoint was later reflected in landmark Supreme Court decisions, such as Lt. Colonel Nitisha (2021), where he recognized “indirect discrimination” and affirmed that women are entitled to consideration for Permanent Commissions in the Indian Army.
After a significant tenure at the Bombay High Court, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in 2013. In 2016, Justice Chandrachud ascended to the Supreme Court and, on November 9, 2022, he became the 50th Chief Justice of India, succeeding CJI U.U. Lalit.
Notable Judgments by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
- Abhiram Singh v. C.D. Commachen (2017)
In this case, a seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court held that electoral candidates cannot seek votes based on religion. Justice Chandrachud, in a dissenting opinion, argued that only broad, communal appeals are prohibited under the Representation of People Act, 1951, distinguishing them from grievance-based appeals. - Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017)
A landmark judgment affirmed the fundamental right to privacy as part of the right to life under the Indian Constitution. Justice Chandrachud authored the majority opinion, emphasizing that privacy and dignity are intrinsic to individual autonomy and the right to life. - Shafin Jahan v. Ashokan K.M. (2018)
Justice Chandrachud upheld Hadiya’s right to choose her faith and marriage partner, emphasizing an adult’s right to make personal decisions within their private domain, thus affirming her autonomy and privacy. - Tehseen Poonawalla v. Union of India
Justice Chandrachud dismissed calls for an investigation into the death of Judge Loya, who was presiding over a significant case involving a high-profile encounter killing. - Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2018)
In this decision, Justice Chandrachud held that the Lieutenant Governor is not the executive head of Delhi. He asserted that the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are responsible for governance, with the Lieutenant Governor bound by their advice, thus reinforcing representative democracy. - Romila Thapar v. Union of India (2018)
Justice Chandrachud dissented in this case concerning the arrest of activists linked to the Bhima Koregaon violence. He argued that the arrest raised significant constitutional questions about freedom of expression and personal liberty under Articles 19 and 21. He proposed a Special Investigation Team to probe the matter. - Navtej Johar v. Union of India (2018)
Justice Chandrachud wrote a concurring opinion that decriminalized same-sex relations by invalidating Section 377 of the IPC. He described Section 377 as a colonial relic infringing on equality, freedom of expression, and privacy, marking a crucial step toward safeguarding the rights of the LGBT community. - Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2018) [Aadhaar Case]
In a dissenting view, Justice Chandrachud held that the Aadhaar Act was improperly passed as a Money Bill and raised concerns over the Act’s implications on privacy, dignity, and individual autonomy. - Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018)
Justice Chandrachud agreed with the decision to decriminalize adultery by striking down Section 497 of the IPC, which he saw as rooted in outdated patriarchal views. He argued that this provision violated constitutional guarantees of equality and personal liberty under Articles 14, 15, and 21. - Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala Case, 2019)
Justice Chandrachud found that excluding women from Sabarimala Temple based on age violated their autonomy, liberty, and dignity. He argued that this practice was contrary to constitutional morality and equated it to untouchability, as it imposed a notion of impurity on women, thereby violating Article 17. - Ayodhya Title Dispute (2019)
Justice Chandrachud was part of the five-judge bench that issued a unanimous decision on the disputed Ayodhya land, allowing the deity Shri Ram Virajman to claim the site for a temple while granting an alternate five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for mosque construction.
