Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, Supreme Court judge, will retire on August 9, marking the end of a remarkable legacy in the Indian judiciary shaped by constitutional values and integrity.
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NEW DELHI: As Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia is set to retire from the Supreme Court of India on August 9, 2025, the legal fraternity reflects on a distinguished judicial journey that spanned nearly four decades. Though his tenure on the apex court lasted just over three years, his judgments and courtroom conduct left a lasting impression on India’s constitutional landscape.
Born in 1960, Justice Dhulia’s academic foundation was as strong as his legal trajectory. An alumnus of Sainik School, Lucknow, he pursued his Master’s in Modern History, followed by LL.B from Allahabad University, an intellectual pairing that later shaped his judicial approach with a keen sensitivity to India’s complex socio-legal realities.
Justice Dhulia began his legal practice in 1986 at the Allahabad High Court, focusing on civil, service, and constitutional matters. When Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, he was appointed the First Chief Standing Counsel of the newly formed state. His sharp legal acumen and balanced advocacy saw him rise quickly, appointed Additional Advocate General in 2003, and designated Senior Advocate in 2004 by the Uttarakhand High Court.
His judicial career formally began with his appointment as a permanent judge of the Uttarakhand High Court in November 2008, where he served with distinction for over 12 years. He was later appointed the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on January 10, 2021, and from there, elevated to the Supreme Court on May 9, 2022.
Each step of his journey was marked by a reputation for integrity, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to justice rooted in constitutional morality. His diverse judicial experience across jurisdictions enriched his understanding of India’s regional complexities, an asset that he brought with him to the Supreme Court.
Though Justice Dhulia’s time on the Supreme Court bench was relatively brief. He was involved in several important matters, often offering perspectives that combined legal clarity with constitutional compassion. He was particularly known for his nuanced approach to civil liberties, administrative fairness, and human dignity.
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Known for his measured tone in court and his respectful engagement with both lawyers and litigants, he cultivated a courtroom environment where justice was not just delivered, but was also seen to be delivered.
Justice Dhulia’s quality was his ability to bring a humanistic and regional lens to constitutional interpretation. His judgments often reflected a deep empathy for the underrepresented and a belief in substantive equality, as opposed to merely procedural justice.
This, coupled with his understanding of history and societal dynamics, made his legal reasoning accessible and impactful. He was not just a judge of the law, but a jurist of the people.
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