Sun Nov 10 18:53:17 UTC 2024: ## Justice Chandrachud: A Legacy of Landmark Judgments as He Prepares to Step Down

**New Delhi, October 26, 2023** – Justice DY Chandrachud, the 50th Chief Justice of India, is set to demit office on November 10, leaving behind a legacy marked by a series of landmark judgments that have profoundly impacted the Indian legal landscape.

Known for his progressive approach to the law, Justice Chandrachud, son of India’s longest-serving Chief Justice, YV Chandrachud, has penned over 600 judgments and participated in over 1,200 benches during his eight-year tenure at the Supreme Court.

**Key Verdicts:**

His most significant judgments include:

* **Right to Privacy:** Justice Chandrachud, writing for the majority in the Puttaswamy case, recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, emphasizing its importance for human dignity and individual autonomy.
* **Decriminalization of Homosexuality:** He played a key role in the landmark judgment that struck down Section 377 of the IPC, decriminalizing consensual sex between adults, arguing that it violated fundamental rights to privacy and equality.
* **Permanent Commission for Women Officers:** Justice Chandrachud was instrumental in the decision to grant permanent commission to women officers in the Indian Armed Forces, challenging gender stereotypes and promoting equality.
* **Right of Unmarried Women to Abortion:** He led the Bench that upheld the right of unmarried women to terminate pregnancies up to 24 weeks, ensuring reproductive autonomy and access to safe abortion services.
* **Ayodhya Title Dispute:** Though the judgment’s author remained undisclosed, Justice Chandrachud was part of the Constitution Bench that settled the Ayodhya land dispute, ensuring a peaceful resolution of a long-standing controversy.
* **Electoral Bonds Scheme:** He was part of the Bench that struck down the Electoral Bonds scheme, highlighting its potential for anonymous donations and undermining transparency in political funding.
* **Administration of Delhi:** Justice Chandrachud played a crucial role in defining the powers of the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor, contributing to a clearer understanding of the administrative framework of the national capital.
* **Shivsena Political Crisis:** Justice Chandrachud led the Bench that upheld the status quo in the Maharashtra political crisis, reaffirming the importance of constitutional norms and procedures.

**Other Notable Judgments:**

Justice Chandrachud also authored notable judgments on issues such as:

* Decriminalizing adultery.
* Recognizing the right to die with dignity.
* Upholding the abrogation of Article 370.
* Determining the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University.
* Holding sub-classification of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes permissible.
* Ruling that seeking votes in the name of religion is a corrupt practice.
* Upholding the constitutionality of the Aadhaar scheme.

**A Legacy of Progress:**

Justice Chandrachud’s tenure as Chief Justice has been marked by a commitment to uphold fundamental rights, ensure equality and justice, and modernize the legal system. His impactful judgments have laid the foundation for a more just and equitable society, leaving a lasting legacy on Indian jurisprudence.

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