Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, often referred to as DYC in legal circles, has built a distinguished and impactful career in India’s judiciary, marked by his progressive approach, commitment to justice, and deep empathy. Known for his balanced and fair judicial reasoning, Justice Chandrachud has earned a reputation for being both a compassionate and principled judge. His legal journey has been influential, shaping key areas of law in India, particularly concerning human rights, constitutional freedoms, and the rule of law. On November 9, 2022, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), a position he has used to further advocate for judicial reforms, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights. His tenure as CJI has been marked by landmark judgments that reflect his belief in progressive legal interpretations, such as his support for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and privacy. Justice Chandrachud’s leadership is characterized by his ability to blend legal expertise with compassion, ensuring that justice is accessible and fair for all.
EARLY LIFE.
Born on November 11, 1959, Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud hails from a distinguished legal family. He is the only child of Y.V. Chandrachud, who holds the record as India’s longest-serving Chief Justice. His mother, Prabha, was a classical musician with All India Radio. Chandrachud’s education began at prestigious schools, including Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai and St. Columba’s School in Delhi. He then pursued law at Delhi University, where he completed his bachelor’s in law, before furthering his studies with a notable academic tenure at Harvard University.
BEFORE BECOMING CJI
On November 9, 2022, he was appointed as the 50th Chief Justice of India (CJI), he was a Judge of the Supreme Court of India since May 13, 2016. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court from October 31, 2013, until his elevation to the Supreme Court. He had been a judge of the Bombay High Court since March 29, 2000, before becoming the Chief Justice of Allahabad. In addition to his judicial career, he served as the Director of the Maharashtra Judicial Academy and as the Additional Solicitor General of India until his appointment as a judge. Justice Chandrachud was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Bombay High Court in June 1998 and had a distinguished practice at both the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court
NOTABLE JUDGMENTS.
Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud has been an influential figure in Indian jurisprudence, serving on numerous constitutional benches throughout his tenure at the Supreme Court. His judgments cover a broad spectrum of legal fields, including constitutional law, human rights, gender justice, commercial law, and criminal law.
One of his landmark contributions is his lead opinion in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India case, where he was part of a nine-judge bench that unanimously affirmed the right to privacy as a constitutionally protected right. Justice Chandrachud’s judgment emphasized that privacy is central to human dignity, autonomy, and liberty, and that sexual orientation forms an essential part of personal privacy. His observations were instrumental in the eventual striking down of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized homosexuality. He criticized the previous judgment in Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation for disregarding the rights of sexual minorities, asserting that rights conferred by the Constitution should not be subject to popular approval.
Chandrachud is also known for his strong stance on freedom of speech. In Indibility Creative Pvt Ltd v. State of West Bengal, he ruled against state censorship, emphasizing the state’s duty to protect free expression, even against the threat of mob violence. He has also championed free speech in cases involving media freedom, such as in the M.R. Vijayabhaskar v. Chief Election Commissioner of India case, where he upheld the media’s right to report judicial proceedings without restriction.
In matters of personal liberty, Justice Chandrachud has authored several important rulings, including granting bail to Arnab Goswami, the editor of Republic TV, underscoring that criminal law should not be used for selective harassment. He also highlighted the importance of bail as a fundamental principle of criminal justice, ensuring that individuals’ liberty is protected.
Justice Chandrachud has made significant strides in gender justice, particularly in cases involving women’s rights. In the Sabarimala case, he authored a concurring judgment stating that the exclusion of women of menstruating age from the Sabarimala temple was discriminatory and violated the constitutional rights of women. He rejected the notion that religious freedom could justify practices that undermined the dignity of women, emphasizing that the Constitution mandates equality and non-discrimination.
In the Joseph Shine v. Union of India case, he declared the law on adultery unconstitutional, reaffirming that sexual autonomy is integral to an individual’s dignity. He argued that the law, which criminalized adultery, perpetuated outdated societal norms and violated the constitutional commitment to equality. His judgment in this case was significant in advancing women’s rights, particularly regarding their sexual autonomy within marriage.
Throughout his career, Justice Chandrachud has consistently advocated for progressive legal reforms and the protection of fundamental rights. His rulings have shaped critical areas of Indian law, particularly in defending privacy, freedom of expression, gender equality, and personal liberty. He is also known for his willingness to overrule previous decisions, including those of his father, former Chief Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, marking his judgments with a strong commitment to evolving constitutional values. He has adjudicated on intricate legal issues, including the electoral bond scheme, the rights of unmarried women under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, as well as legal matters concerning euthanasia and same-sex marriage.
PIONERING REFORMS
Under Justice Chandrachud’s leadership, the Supreme Court underwent significant reforms. One notable change was the redesign of the iconic Lady Justice statue, now depicted in a sari and holding the Constitution instead of a sword, reflecting India’s distinct cultural identity. He also introduced partial court working days during the summer to address long-standing issues related to prolonged court vacations. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Justice Chandrachud spearheaded efforts to ensure the live-streaming of court proceedings across all courts and tribunals, marking a pioneering step towards greater transparency and accessibility.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud’s time at the Supreme Court of India has been marked by significant judicial contributions and innovative reforms that have reshaped Indian law and the judiciary. Renowned for his progressive and fair approach, he has delivered landmark judgments in areas such as human rights, gender equality, privacy, freedom of speech, and personal liberty, with decisions in cases like Right to Privacy, Sabarimala, and the decriminalization of adultery playing a pivotal role in strengthening constitutional rights.
Beyond his legal decisions, Justice Chandrachud has implemented meaningful institutional changes, including redesigning the Lady Justice statue to symbolize India’s cultural identity, introducing partial working days for courts to address lengthy vacation periods, and advocating for the live-streaming of court proceedings to improve transparency and access to justice. His leadership continues to leave a lasting impact on the legal system, advancing the principles of equality, justice, and individual rights while modernizing the judiciary to meet the needs of a democratic society.
