Meet Justice Manoj Misra and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 18 Jun 2025 --
- 0 Comments
Justice Manoj Misra, born on June 2, 1965, is a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, elevated to the apex court in February 2023. He graduated in law from the University of Allahabad in 1988 and practiced for 23 years at the Allahabad High Court, handling civil, revenue, criminal, and constitutional matters. Justice Misra was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in November 2011 and became a Permanent Judge in August 2013. He is due to retire from the Supreme Court in June 2030.
Justice Misra’s judicial work is marked by clarity, fairness, and a strong adherence to constitutional principles. He has authored 35 Supreme Court judgments and participated in 128 benches as of June 2025, with a significant focus on criminal law, followed by property, service, and tenancy matters. His approach emphasizes non-arbitrariness, procedural fairness, and protection of individual rights.
Landmark Judgments
1. Tej Prakash Pathak v Rajasthan High Court (2024):
Justice Misra authored the unanimous opinion in a five-judge Constitution Bench holding that eligibility criteria in a recruitment process cannot be altered after the advertisement is issued. He clarified that if rules permit changes, they must not violate Article 14’s guarantee of non-arbitrariness. This judgment reinforced the importance of transparency and fairness in public employment, preventing arbitrary modifications that could disadvantage applicants.
2. Indra Bai v Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. (2023):
In this judgment, Justice Misra interpreted Section 2(1)(l) of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, to include not only physical disabilities but also functional disabilities. This progressive interpretation broadened the scope of compensation, allowing more workers—especially those suffering from loss of earning capacity due to injury—to claim benefits, thus strengthening social security for laborers.
3. Assistant Teacher Recruitment Examination Case (Allahabad High Court):
As a High Court judge, Justice Misra addressed irregularities in a major teacher recruitment exam, directing the Uttar Pradesh government to respond to allegations of incorrect and out-of-syllabus questions. His intervention underscored the need for accountability and fairness in public examinations, impacting thousands of candidates.
Justice Manoj Misra’s jurisprudence is characterized by a commitment to constitutional values, procedural integrity, and the protection of vulnerable groups. His landmark decisions have contributed to the evolution of Indian law, particularly in public employment, labor rights, and administrative fairness.
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