Meet Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 17 Jun 2025 --
- 0 Comments
Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde served as the 47th Chief Justice of India from November 18, 2019, to April 23, 2021, capping an eight-year tenure on the Supreme Court. Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in 1956, he began his legal career in the Bombay High Court, later becoming Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2013. Justice Bobde is known for his balanced, pragmatic approach and for presiding over several landmark cases that have shaped Indian constitutional and social jurisprudence.
Judicial Career and Philosophy
Justice Bobde authored 68 judgments and participated in 560 benches during his Supreme Court tenure, with a focus on criminal, arbitration, constitutional, civil, and service matters. His judicial philosophy emphasized technological modernization, access to justice, and the careful balancing of individual rights with public interest. Notably, he oversaw the judiciary during the COVID-19 pandemic, steering the transition to virtual hearings and e-courts.
Landmark Judgments
1. Ayodhya-Babri Masjid Land Dispute (2019)
Justice Bobde was part of the historic five-judge bench that unanimously ruled in favor of constructing a Ram temple at the disputed Ayodhya site, while directing that an alternate site be provided for a mosque. The verdict ended decades of religious and political conflict and was lauded for its balanced, evidence-based reasoning.
2. Right to Privacy (2017)
Justice Bobde was a member of the nine-judge bench that declared the right to privacy a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution. This landmark judgment laid the foundation for future decisions on data protection, surveillance, and personal liberty.
3. Aadhaar and Welfare Benefits
He was part of the bench that clarified the government cannot deny citizens access to subsidies and basic services for lack of Aadhaar, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity in welfare schemes.
4. Air Pollution and Firecracker Ban
Justice Bobde was on the bench that suspended firecracker sales in Delhi-NCR in 2016 to combat severe air pollution, marking a proactive judicial stance on environmental protection.
5. BCCI Reforms
As amicus curiae, Bobde played a key role in the Supreme Court’s intervention in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), helping implement reforms for greater transparency and accountability in cricket administration.
6. Sexual Harassment Inquiry Against CJI Gogoi
Justice Bobde headed the in-house committee that investigated allegations of sexual harassment against then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, ultimately giving him a clean chit.
Legacy
Justice S.A. Bobde’s tenure is remembered for his stewardship during the pandemic, commitment to judicial modernization, and involvement in some of the most consequential constitutional cases of recent times. His judgments and leadership have left a lasting impact on the Indian judiciary’s approach to fundamental rights, religious harmony, and institutional reform.
RELATED Blog
0 comments