Meet Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 17 Jun 2025 --
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Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das (1 October 1894 – 18 September 1977) was the 5th Chief Justice of India, serving from February 1, 1956, to September 30, 1959. Born in Calcutta into a prominent legal and intellectual family, he was one of the earliest pupils at Rabindranath Tagore’s Patha Bhavana, Santiniketan, and later graduated from Bangabasi College, University of Calcutta. He earned his LL.B. with first-class honours from University College London and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1918.
Judicial Career
Justice Das began his legal practice in Calcutta in 1919 and quickly established himself as a leading advocate and law lecturer. He was elevated to the Calcutta High Court as an Additional Judge in 1942 and became a permanent judge in 1944. He served as Chief Justice of the Punjab High Court (1949–1950) and was appointed to the Federal Court/Supreme Court in 1950, days before the Constitution of India came into force. He twice served as Acting Chief Justice of India before his formal appointment as Chief Justice in 1956.
As Chief Justice, Das was instrumental in expanding the Supreme Court’s strength from eight to eleven judges and was known for appointing distinguished jurists, including the controversial but historic appointment of S.K. Das, a career ICS officer, to the Supreme Court. He also played a key role in bringing Justice Vivian Bose back to the bench and set a record for the youngest median age of appointees during his tenure.
Landmark Judgments and Contributions
While Justice Das’s tenure is often remembered for his administrative reforms and the strengthening of the Supreme Court, he also presided over or contributed to several important constitutional and civil cases:
1. Administrative Reforms and Judicial Expansion
Justice Das’s leadership saw the Supreme Court’s expansion, ensuring the court could handle the increasing workload and complexity of cases in a rapidly developing nation. His appointments brought new perspectives and expertise to the bench, contributing to the evolution of Indian jurisprudence.
2. Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Interpretation
During his tenure, the Supreme Court heard significant cases shaping the interpretation of fundamental rights, state powers, and the balance between individual liberty and public interest. Although specific landmark judgments directly authored by Das are less widely cited, his influence as Chief Justice during a formative period helped set enduring standards for constitutional adjudication and the protection of civil liberties.
3. Promotion of Judicial Independence
Justice Das was known for his impartiality and commitment to judicial independence, both in his judgments and in the appointments he made. His tenure reinforced the Supreme Court’s role as a guardian of the Constitution and fundamental rights.
Legacy
Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das’s legacy lies in his vision for a robust, independent judiciary and his contributions to the Supreme Court’s institutional development. His background in both Indian and British legal traditions, his association with Tagore and the Bengal Renaissance, and his administrative acumen left a lasting mark on the Indian legal system. Das retired in 1959 and remained respected for his scholarship, integrity, and dedication to justice.
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