Justice D Y Chandrachud appointed India’s new Chief Justice

Justice D Y Chandrachud

Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud was sworn in as the country’s 50th Chief Justice on Wednesday.

He was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at a brief ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today at 10 AM. Justice Chandrachud who has graced the highest office of Indian Judiciary will serve as its head for two years till November 10, 2024. He has succeeded Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as CJI, who demitted office on Tuesday.

Hailing from one of India’s most distinguished legal families, as his father Yashwant Vishnu Chandrachud had also served as Chief Justice of India for seven years – from 1978 to 1985 – the longest serving CJI of India, Justice Chandrachud has found interest in the legal field in his genetics. Known for taking a broader view, most of the time, an unconventional one, and a liberal approach in analysing cases and writing judgments, he has done everything to repose people’s faith in the judiciary and keep their trust in the institution of justice intact.

Yesterday only when the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the Aadhar program – world’s biggest biometric database, Justice Chandrachud was the lone dissenting judge whose observation on the issue has given fresh impetus to the critics of the Aadhaar program. In his commitment to uphold the “conscience of the constitution”, he, through his observation, analysis and insight, has been effectively discharging the duty of true sentinel of the constitution. Emphasising on the “Right to Privacy” in the Aadhar Judgement in 2017, he also struck down most of the controversial part of judgement in ADM Jabalpur case – a case in which his father was involved with.

Just recently, he was on the bench which struck down large parts of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. His ruling on Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code was in keeping with his well-known views.

“With his dissent in Aadhaar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has established his leadership as a true liberal in the Supreme Court of India,” said senior lawyer and legal rights activist Indira Jaising.

Having graduated from St Stephens College in mathematics and economics in 1979, he did his LL.B. from Delhi University in 1982 and LL.M. from Harvard University in 1983. He then went to obtain the degree of Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) from Harvard in 1986.

Having served as Additional Solicitor General for India from 1998 to 2000, he was designated a Senior Advocate by the Bombay High Court in 1998. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000 and served there until his appointment as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on October 31, 2013.

His elevation to the Supreme Court took place on May 13, 2016.

He has since authored a number of notable judgments including dissenting opinions against the ruling dispensation.

"Exciting news! Elets eGov is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest insights!" Click here!
Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.