CJI Chandrachud: Landmark Verdicts and Controversies That Shaped India

New Delhi, India: India’s 50th Chief Justice DY Chandrachud who penned more than 500 judgments served his last day on Friday in court. 

During his tenure, CJI Chandrachud was part of some historical judgments such as Ayodhya land dispute, abrogation of Article 370, and decriminalisation of consensual gay sex that shaped society and politics to his name. D Y Chandrachud, kwn also for his many pithy statements, leaves an imprint all his own on annals of legal history.

Capping a long career as a lawyer, Supreme Court judge, and he of country’s judiciary Chandrachud, was part of a landmark judgment by a five-judge constitution bench that recognised 'living will' me by terminally ill patients for passive euthanasia.

controversies surrounding historical restorations 

Chandrachud legacy has a physical manifestation too - a reimagined ‘Ly Justice’. earlier ‘Goddess of Justice’ in Grecian robes with blindfolds and swords has been replaced by a six-ft tall sculpture with scales in one hand and Constitution in ar. She is in a sari, with a crown and sans blindfold.

While that created a stir so did decision on his penultimate day at work with Supreme Court rechristening its summer vacation "partial court working days", an issue that has led to criticism that apex court judges enjoyed long breaks.

Far-son duo occupying highest seat in highest court of India 

DYC followed in footsteps of his far Y V Chandrachud, who served as CJI with longest tenure between 1978 and 1985, only instance of a far and son occupying highest seat in highest court of India.

son, who studied in Delhi’s St Stephen’s College and Campus Law Centre and n went on get an LLM degree and a doctorate from Harvard Law School, became chief justice on vember 9, 2022.

verdicts, judgments that vance justice 

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud, set to retire on vember 10, leaves behind an extensive body of work that spans all areas of law. His judgments have shaped Indian jurisprudence and are likely to influence future legal decisions and acemic studies for years to come.

CJI Chandrachud's tenure was marked by a commitment to protecting individual rights and vancing justice. table rulings include expanding scope of fundamental rights, such as privacy, and striking down controversial electoral bond scheme. He was also instrumental in landmark decisions on issues like decriminalizing same-sex relations and recognizing right to privacy as a fundamental right.

Among his most significant contributions was authoring unanimous 2019 judgment in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, which resolved deces-long land dispute and paved way for construction of Ram Mandir . His tenure also included a crucial ruling on abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and judgments on criminalizing ultery and recognizing living wills for terminally ill patients.

CJI Chandrachud led several Constitution benches and took part in pivotal cases such as Delhi government’s control over services, and Maharashtra political crisis. While some of his decisions stirred controversy, such as rejecting a probe into death of judge B.H. Loya, his legacy includes groundbreaking work on judicial transparency and access to justice. He championed live-streaming of court proceedings, a policy that has me courts more accessible to public.

Beyond his legal expertise, CJI Chandrachud is kwn for his personal values, including his commitment to family and his love of cricket. He leaves behind a legacy of judicial reforms, significant rulings, and a more transparent and accessible judiciary.

As he steps down, CJI Chandrachud’s influence on Indian legal system is undeniable, and his contributions to both law and society will continue to resonate for generations to come.

With inputs from PTI