Justice Altamas Kabir

Justice Altamas Kabir was a distinguished legal luminary who served as the 39th Chief Justice of India. Born on July 19, 1948, in Kolkata, he had an illustrious career that spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian judiciary.

Key Facts

Born: July 19, 1948, Kolkata
Died: February 19, 2017, due to renal complications
Tenure as CJI: September 29, 2012, to July 18, 2013
Education: LLB and MA from the University of Calcutta
Notable Judgments: Extended the scope of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005; involved in high-profile cases like the December 16, 2012, gangrape and murder.

Infobox

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Justice Altamas Kabir
Born	July 19, 1948, Kolkata
Died	February 19, 2017
Education	LLB and MA, University of Calcutta
Profession	Judge
Tenure as CJI	September 29, 2012 – July 18, 2013
Notable Judgments	Domestic Violence Act, 2005 Extension
Controversies	NEET Scrapping
Spouse	Name not publicly disclosed
Children	One daughter and one son

Early Life and Education

Justice Kabir was born in Kolkata to Late Jahangir Kabir. He completed his schooling at Calcutta Boys’ School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in History from Presidency College, Kolkata. He further pursued his Master’s and LLB degrees from the University of Calcutta.

Career

Justice Kabir enrolled at the Bar on August 1, 1973, and began his legal practice in the district courts and the High Court of Calcutta. After 17 years of practice, he was elevated as a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court on August 6, 1990. He was later appointed as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court in March 2005 before being elevated to the Supreme Court later that year.

Tenure as Chief Justice of India

Justice Kabir was appointed as the Chief Justice of India on September 29, 2012, and served until his retirement on July 18, 2013. During his tenure, he was known for his calm demeanor and patient hearing. He was involved in several landmark judgments, including extending the scope of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, to include assault by female relatives.

Legacy and Contributions

Justice Altamas Kabir’s legacy is one of judicious wisdom and a commitment to justice. During his eight-year term at the Supreme Court, he was part of 698 benches and authored 362 judgments. Most of these came in the year 2010, indicating a period of intense judicial activity.

Criminal Matters

He predominantly worked on criminal matters, including contempt of court cases, domestic violence issues, and bail procedures. His judgments in these areas have been cited as precedents in subsequent cases, adding to the body of jurisprudence.

Landmark Judgments

One of his landmark judgments was in the case of Sandhya Manoj Wankhade v. Manoj Bhimrao Wankhade, where he extended the scope of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, to include assault by female relatives. This was a significant step in recognizing the complexities of domestic abuse.

Controversies

NEET Scrapping

One of the most talked-about controversies during his tenure was the scrapping of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical courses. The decision was met with public outcry and legal scrutiny, and it was a subject of debate among legal circles.

Judicial Process

There were hints from fellow judges that some judgments, including the NEET case, were passed without proper discussion. This raised questions about the judicial process and the transparency of decision-making during his tenure.

Personal Life and Demise

Justice Kabir was a private individual who kept his personal life away from the public eye. He was married and is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son.

Health and Demise

He suffered from multiple health issues, including end-stage renal disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2007. Justice Kabir passed away on February 19, 2017, due to renal complications at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata.

Tributes

Posthumously, he has been remembered for his gentle yet firm nature in handling court work and his administrative role as the head of India’s judicial system.

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