Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud

Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, commonly known as D.Y. Chandrachud, is a distinguished jurist who serves as the 50th Chief Justice of India. He was born on November 11, 1959, in Pune, Maharashtra, and comes from a lineage of legal luminaries. His father, Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, was the 16th Chief Justice of India.

Key Facts

Born: November 11, 1959
Place of Birth: Pune, Maharashtra
Father: Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, 16th Chief Justice of India
Education: LL.M and Doctorate of Juridical Science from Harvard University
Tenure as CJI: November 2022 to November 2024
Notable Cases: Ram Janmabhoomi verdict, Privacy verdict, Decriminalization of homosexuality, Sabarimala case

Infobox

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud
Date of Birth	November 11, 1959
Place of Birth	Pune, Maharashtra
Father’s Name	Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud
Education	LL.M and Doctorate of Juridical Science from Harvard University
Current Position	50th Chief Justice of India
Tenure	November 2022 to November 2024

Early Life and Education

D.Y. Chandrachud was born to Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud and Prabha Chandrachud in Pune, Maharashtra. He completed his schooling at Mumbai’s Cathedral and John Connon School and St. Columbia’s School in Delhi. He graduated with honors in economics and mathematics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Subsequently, he earned his LL.B from the Faculty of Law at the University of Delhi. He further pursued his LL.M and Doctorate of Juridical Science from Harvard University on the prestigious Inlaks Scholarship.

Career

After completing his education, Chandrachud worked at the law firm Sullivan and Cromwell. He returned to India and practiced law at the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court. In 1998, he was appointed as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court at the age of 38. He later served as an Additional Solicitor General of India and was appointed as a Judge of the Bombay High Court. In October 2013, he became the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court. In 2016, he was appointed as a Sitting Judge of the Supreme Court of India. He took over as the 50th Chief Justice of India in November 2022 and will serve until November 2024.

Notable Judgments

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has been a part of several landmark judgments that have had a profound impact on Indian jurisprudence. His rulings have often been hailed as progressive, upholding the principles of justice, equality, and human rights. Below are some of the most notable judgments he has been involved in:

Ram Janmabhoomi Verdict

Justice Chandrachud was a part of the Constitution bench that delivered the historic judgment on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute. The verdict paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, while also making provisions for a separate piece of land to be allocated for the construction of a mosque.

Right to Privacy

In a landmark judgment, Justice Chandrachud affirmed that the right to privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India. This ruling had significant implications, particularly concerning the Aadhaar identification system and data protection laws in India.

Decriminalization of Homosexuality

Justice Chandrachud was part of the bench that decriminalized homosexuality in India by partially striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. His judgment was lauded for its progressive stance and for upholding the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community in India.

Sabarimala Case

In the controversial Sabarimala case, Justice Chandrachud was part of the bench that allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. His judgment was seen as a significant step towards gender equality in religious practices.

Legalization of Same-Sex Marriages

Justice Chandrachud also delivered a historic verdict on the legalization of same-sex marriages in India, further cementing his reputation as a progressive jurist.

Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

Justice Chandrachud is currently heading a five-judge constitution bench conducting day-to-day hearings for the petitioners challenging the abrogation of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The case is significant as it deals with the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gender Justice and Human Rights

Throughout his tenure, Justice Chandrachud has been an advocate for gender justice and human rights. He has been part of benches that have delivered judgments on issues ranging from marital rape to workplace harassment, always with a focus on upholding the dignity and rights of individuals.

Public Interest Litigation and Environmental Concerns

Justice Chandrachud has also been active in matters related to public interest litigation, especially those concerning environmental issues. He has been part of judgments that have sought to balance development with environmental sustainability.

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s judgments reflect a deep understanding of the law, a commitment to justice, and a willingness to adapt to changing societal norms. His work has had a lasting impact on Indian jurisprudence and will likely continue to do so during his tenure as the Chief Justice of India.

Personal Life

D.Y. Chandrachud is married to Kalpana Das, a lawyer by profession. He was previously married to Rashmi Chandrachud, who passed away in 2007 due to cancer. He has four children, two sons, Abhinav and Chintan, both advocates, and two adopted daughters who are differently-abled.

Awards and Recognitions

Justice Chandrachud has been awarded the Legal Profession Award for Global Leadership by Harvard University. He is also the Chairperson of the e-Committee of the Supreme Court of India, responsible for the implementation of the e-Courts Project in India.

Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s contributions to the Indian judiciary are monumental. His tenure as the Chief Justice of India is expected to bring forth progressive changes and uphold the sanctity of the Constitution.

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