Meet Justice S. Rajendra Babu and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 17 Jun 2025 --
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Justice S. Rajendra Babu (born June 1, 1939) served as the 34th Chief Justice of India, though his tenure was brief—from May 2 to June 1, 2004. He was also the fifth Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India. Justice Babu’s legal career began in Karnataka, where he practiced in taxation, constitutional, and civil law, representing both the Income Tax Department and the Government of Karnataka. He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Karnataka High Court in 1988 and elevated to the Supreme Court in 1997.
Judicial Career and Philosophy
Justice Rajendra Babu was known for his expertise in service, labour, constitutional, and civil matters. Over his Supreme Court tenure, he authored an impressive 426 judgments, with a significant focus on service law (18.8%), labour and industrial law (14%), and constitutional law (13.6%). He was recognized for his analytical approach, clarity, and sensitivity to social justice issues.
Landmark Judgments
1. Kishori v. State of Delhi (1999) – Anti-Sikh Riots Case
In this significant case arising from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Justice Babu explored the psychological influence of mob violence. He differentiated between individual culpability and actions driven by mob psychology, holding that an accused acting under mob compulsion should not be sentenced to death. On this basis, he commuted the death penalty to life imprisonment for the accused, recognizing the complexities of collective violence and the need for nuanced sentencing.
2. Daniel Latifi & Anr v. Union of India (2001) – Muslim Women’s Rights
Justice Babu led the bench in this landmark case challenging the constitutionality of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. While upholding the Act’s constitutionality, he interpreted it to require “just and reasonable” maintenance for Muslim women beyond the iddat period, thereby harmonizing personal law with constitutional guarantees of equality and justice. This progressive reading ensured that Muslim women would not be left destitute after divorce.
3. Contribution to Human Rights
As Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (2007–2009), Justice Babu streamlined compensation procedures for victims and worked to increase grassroots awareness of human rights. Under his leadership, the NHRC became more accessible and responsive to public grievances.
Legacy
Justice S. Rajendra Babu is remembered for his scholarship, sensitivity to social justice, and commitment to human rights. His judgments in the anti-Sikh riots and Muslim women’s maintenance cases remain influential for their humane and progressive interpretation of the law. His post-retirement work further strengthened India’s human rights framework.
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