Justice K Vinod Chandran, an esteemed jurist from Kerala, has had a distinguished career spanning advocacy, taxation law, and judicial service. With over 11 years on the bench at the Kerala High Court and a tenure as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, his judicial expertise has shaped key legal precedents. Elevated to the Supreme Court of India on January 16, 2025, Justice Chandran brings a wealth of experience in constitutional and administrative law. His notable rulings, including upholding the Bihar caste survey and striking down excessive reservations, reflect his commitment to judicial integrity and constitutional principles. Here’s a look at his career, elevation, and landmark judgments.
JUSTICE KV CHANDRAN
Date of Birth : 25-04-1963
Assumed Office : 16-01- 2025
Retires on: 24-04- 2028
Justice K Vinod Chandran, an esteemed jurist from Kerala, has had a distinguished career spanning advocacy, taxation law, and judicial service. With over 11 years on the bench at the Kerala High Court and a tenure as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, his judicial expertise has shaped key legal precedents. Elevated to the Supreme Court of India on January 16, 2025, Justice Chandran brings a wealth of experience in constitutional and administrative law. His notable rulings, including upholding the Bihar caste survey and striking down excessive reservations, reflect his commitment to judicial integrity and constitutional principles. Here’s a look at his career, elevation, and landmark judgments.
Justice Krishna Vinod Chandran was born on April 25, 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is the 16th judge from Kerala to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
He completed his schooling at Raajgiri English School and earned a degree in science in 1984. Before pursuing a career in law, he worked at the State Bank of Travancore but later resigned to study law at Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.
LEGAL CAREER
Justice Chandran began his legal practice in Paravoor in 1991 before moving to the High Court of Kerala. He served as the Special Government Pleader (Taxes) for the Government of Kerala from 2007 to 2011.
JUDICIAL CAREER
He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Kerala High Court on November 8, 2011, and was made a permanent judge on June 24, 2013. Over his 11-year tenure at the Kerala High Court, he gained significant judicial experience.
On September 28, 2022, the Collegium recommended his transfer to the Bombay High Court, but the proposal was not cleared. Later, on December 13, 2022, he was recommended for appointment as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. However, this was revised on February 7, 2023, nominating him instead as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. He took the oath for this position on March 29, 2023.
On January 7, 2025, the Collegium, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, recommended his elevation to the Supreme Court. This decision was made to ensure regional representation from Kerala following the retirement of Justice C.T. Ravikumar on January 5, 2025. The recommendation also noted his seniority, as he ranked 13th in the all-India seniority list of High Court judges.
Justice Chandran was sworn in as a Supreme Court judge on January 16, 2025. His tenure will span approximately 3.25 years, concluding with his retirement in April 2028.
NOTABLE JUDGEMENTS
Youth for Equality v. State of Bihar (2023)
A Division Bench led by Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran upheld the Bihar caste survey, ruling that it was constitutionally valid and served a compelling public interest. The Court cited Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) to justify the survey as a legitimate method of identifying social backwardness. A challenge to this decision is pending before the Supreme Court.
Gaurav Kumar v. State of Bihar (2024)
The Patna High Court struck down amendments that increased reservations from 50% to 65% in education and government jobs. The Court held that adequate representation already exists, and breaching the 50% limit was unjustified. Citing the Bihar Caste Survey Report, the Court noted that backward classes already occupied 68.52% of government jobs and criticized the lack of detailed socio-economic analysis before expanding reservations.
Sri Praveen Anand v. The Asst. General Manager, State Bank of India & Anr (2024)
The Patna High Court ruled that courts or tribunals referring cases to Lok Adalats lack the authority to examine the validity or correctness of Lok Adalat awards. It held that
“Referral courts or tribunals cannot entertain challenges to these awards on grounds such as fraud or misrepresentation.”
The Court clarified that any challenge to a Lok Adalat award must be filed before the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution. This decision reinforces that the
“High Court holds exclusive jurisdiction to review Lok Adalat awards, not the referring courts or tribunal”
ALSO READ : Supreme Court: No One is Above the Law, Even an IPS Officer In Matrimonial Case
READ MORE REPORTS ON JUSTICE K VINOD CHANDRAN
FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE
