Meet Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 18 Jun 2025 --
- 0 Comments
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, born on August 2, 1964, in Guwahati, Assam, is a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India, having assumed office on July 14, 2023. He previously served as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, and as a judge in the Gauhati, Bombay, and Telangana High Courts. Justice Bhuyan is known for his expertise in taxation, revenue, and constitutional law, and has held key roles as Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department and Additional Advocate General for Assam before his elevation to the bench.
Justice Bhuyan’s legal career began in 1991, practicing in the Gauhati High Court and its benches across Northeast India. He was designated Senior Advocate in 2010 and has contributed significantly to legal education and judicial administration, serving as Executive Chairman of State Legal Services Authorities and being closely associated with the Judicial Academy, Assam, and National Law University, Guwahati.
Landmark Judgments
1. Striking Down the Telangana Eunuchs Act, 1919
As Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Bhuyan authored the landmark judgment in V. Vasanta Mogli v State of Telangana (2023), which struck down the colonial-era Telangana Eunuchs Act, 1919. The Act allowed for the warrantless arrest and mandatory registration of transgender persons, effectively criminalizing an entire community. Justice Bhuyan held the Act to be “manifestly arbitrary” and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, affirming the right to privacy and dignity of transgender individuals. This judgment is widely recognized as a milestone for transgender rights in India.
2. Promoting Judicial Diversity
During his tenure as Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Bhuyan advocated for greater gender diversity in judicial benches and expressed his intention to constitute larger benches with more women judges, reflecting his commitment to inclusivity and representation in the judiciary.
3. Contributions to Taxation and Revenue Law
Justice Bhuyan’s expertise in taxation law has shaped several important rulings, both as a judge and as counsel. His judgments have clarified key aspects of tax administration and procedural fairness, earning him recognition from the Supreme Court Collegium specifically for his proficiency in this area.
Justice Bhuyan’s jurisprudence is marked by a strong commitment to constitutional values, human rights, and judicial reforms. His landmark decisions, particularly on transgender rights and judicial diversity, have had a lasting impact on Indian law and society
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