Meet Justice Y.V. Chandrachud and his Notable Judicial decisions
- ByPravleen Kaur --
- 17 Jun 2025 --
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Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud (1920–2008) was the 16th Chief Justice of India and remains the longest-serving CJI, holding office from February 22, 1978, to July 11, 1985—a tenure of over seven years. Born in Pune, Chandrachud was educated at Elphinstone College and ILS Law College, Pune, and began his legal career as an advocate in Bombay in 1943. He became a judge of the Bombay High Court in 1961, was elevated to the Supreme Court in 1972, and appointed Chief Justice in 1978.
Judicial Career and Philosophy
Justice Chandrachud was known for his independence, administrative acumen, and commitment to constitutional values. He authored 338 judgments during his Supreme Court tenure, with a reputation for clarity and a willingness to defend judicial independence, even in the face of political pressure. His tenure spanned the turbulent post-Emergency years, and he was instrumental in restoring the judiciary’s credibility and autonomy.
Landmark Judgments
1. Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980)
In this seminal case, a five-judge bench led by Chandrachud struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment that sought to give Parliament unlimited power to amend the Constitution. Chandrachud ruled that Parliament could not destroy or abrogate the “basic and essential features” of the Constitution, reinforcing the “basic structure doctrine” first articulated in Kesavananda Bharati. This judgment remains a cornerstone of Indian constitutional law, ensuring that core principles like democracy, secularism, and the rule of law are protected from legislative overreach.
2. Kissa Kursi Ka Case (1978)
Justice Chandrachud presided over the case involving Sanjay Gandhi and others for the destruction of evidence related to the satirical film “Kissa Kursi Ka.” The Supreme Court, under his leadership, remanded Sanjay Gandhi to 30 days in judicial custody. This ruling was seen as a strong assertion of judicial independence and helped dispel the perception that the judiciary had capitulated to political influence during the Emergency.
3. A.D.M. Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla (1976) – Later Reflection
Although Justice Chandrachud was part of the majority in the controversial ADM Jabalpur case, which upheld the suspension of habeas corpus rights during the Emergency, this judgment was later overruled and criticized, including by his own son, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who called the earlier verdict “seriously flawed” and reaffirmed the right to privacy as fundamental.
4. Defense of Judicial Independence
During his tenure, Chandrachud fiercely defended the judiciary from executive interference, insisting on constitutional practices in judicial appointments and resisting political pressure, even at the risk of estrangement from the ruling government.
Legacy
Justice Y.V. Chandrachud’s legacy is defined by his defense of the Constitution’s basic structure, his efforts to restore the judiciary’s autonomy after the Emergency, and his prolific contribution to Indian jurisprudence. He is remembered as a jurist with “Iron Hands,” who did not allow political expediency to compromise the rule of law or the independence of India’s highest court. His judgments and leadership continue to influence Indian constitutional law and the judiciary’s role as a bulwark against arbitrary state power.
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