Meet Justice T.S. Thakur and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 17 Jun 2025 --
- 0 Comments
Justice Tirath Singh Thakur served as the 43rd Chief Justice of India from December 3, 2015, to January 4, 2017. Born in Jammu and Kashmir in 1952, he began his legal career in the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, practicing in civil, criminal, constitutional, taxation, and service matters. He rose through the judiciary as a judge in the High Courts of Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Delhi, and as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2009.
Judicial Career and Philosophy
Justice Thakur was known for his integrity, deep commitment to judicial independence, and concern for judicial backlog and access to justice. He was vocal about the urgent need for more judges and better infrastructure, famously appealing to the government to address the judiciary’s heavy caseload, stating, “If justice takes too long, it’s like there is no justice at all”. Over his seven years on the Supreme Court, he authored 246 judgments, focusing on criminal, civil, service, and constitutional law.
Landmark Judgments
1. IPL Spot-Fixing and BCCI Reforms
Justice Thakur headed the bench that dealt with the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing and betting scandal. His orders led to the formation of the Lodha Committee, which recommended sweeping reforms in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including restrictions on office-bearers and steps to improve transparency and governance in Indian cricket.
2. Saradha Chit Fund Scam
In response to the collapse of the Saradha chit fund, which defrauded thousands of investors, Justice Thakur ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Ponzi schemes in Odisha and other states. This intervention underscored the Supreme Court’s role in protecting the interests of small investors and ensuring accountability in financial frauds.
3. Judicial Backlog and Infrastructure
Though not a traditional judgment, Justice Thakur’s persistent advocacy for increasing the number of judges and improving court infrastructure was a hallmark of his tenure. He highlighted the crisis of judicial pendency and pressed for systemic reforms to ensure timely justice.
4. Criminal and Civil Jurisprudence
Justice Thakur delivered several significant rulings in criminal and civil law, consistently emphasizing due process, fairness, and the protection of individual rights. He was also known for his clarity in service and constitutional matters.
Legacy
Justice T.S. Thakur is remembered for his principled leadership, commitment to judicial reform, and landmark interventions in sports governance and financial regulation. His tenure reinforced the need for judicial efficiency and transparency, leaving a lasting impact on both the legal system and public life in India.
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