The retirement of these judges, particularly that of CJI Chandrachud, marks the end of an era characterized by landmark judgments and significant legal developments.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
The year 2024 is set to be a pivotal one for the Supreme Court of India, as it will see the retirement of four esteemed judges, including the current Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. This transition will bring the total strength of the Supreme Court down to 29 judges, short of the sanctioned strength of 34, and is expected to bring about significant changes in the judicial landscape.
List of Retiring Judges in 2024
Justice Aniruddha Bose (Retiring on April 10, 2024): Elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Bose previously served as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. He has been part of several important Constitutional Benches, including those dealing with preferential treatment in reservations, Passive Euthanasia, the appointment of Election Commissioners, and the Validity of Jallikattu. Justice Bose was also part of the majority opinion in M/s N.N. Global Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. v. M/s. Indo Unique Flame Ltd. And Ors.
Justice A.S. Bopanna (Retiring on May 19, 2024): Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Bopanna was the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. His notable judgments include those on the Centre’s 2016 Demonetisation Scheme, Freedom of Speech and Expression of MPs/MLAs, OBC Reservations in NEET, and the TATA-Mistry Case. He was also part of the bench that stayed the Bombay High Court’s judgment in the POCSO Act case and dismissed the plea of juvenility in the Nirbhaya Case.
Justice Hima Kohli (Retiring on September 1, 2024): Justice Kohli, who assumed office on August 8, 2021, was the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court before her elevation. She is the 9th woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court and has authored significant judgments on women’s rights, including those on the PoSH Act and the interpretation of ‘dowry demand’. She has been part of key Constitutional Benches on Marriage Equality, the Maharashtra Political Crisis, and the Delhi Government vs. LG case.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud (Retiring on November 10, 2024): The incumbent CJI, Justice Chandrachud, has been part of several landmark judgments, including the grant of permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Army, the Right to Privacy, the constitutionality of S.377 of the IPC, and the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Dispute. He notably dissented in the Marriage Equality Case, recognizing the right to union for queer couples. He is currently leading three Constitutional Benches on various significant issues.
Implications of the Judicial Changes
The retirement of these judges, particularly that of CJI Chandrachud, marks the end of an era characterized by landmark judgments and significant legal developments. Their contributions have shaped the legal discourse in India, and their absence will be felt in the judicial community. The new appointments to fill these vacancies will be closely watched, as they will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the Supreme Court and its jurisprudence.
Also Read:- Justice Hima Kohli Highlights the Importance of Diversity in the Legal Profession
Conclusion
The year 2024 will be a year of transition for the Supreme Court of India, with the retirement of key judges bringing about a change in its composition and potentially its judicial approach. The legacy of these judges, particularly that of CJI Chandrachud, will continue to influence the legal landscape of India for years to come.