Meet the Five Supreme Court Judges Who Delivered Historic Verdict on Article 370 Abrogation

In a significant legal development, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court has rendered its verdict on petitions challenging the validity of Article 370 in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Justice Chandrachud, leading the bench, pronounced that the central government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir was deemed appropriate. The court affirmed the correctness of the President’s decision under Article 370, emphasizing that it is not within the purview of the judiciary to question the central government’s determinations in this matter. This verdict reflects the court’s recognition of the constitutional prerogatives vested in the executive branch and underscores the separation of powers inherent in the Indian legal framework.

The distinguished panel of the Supreme Court comprising Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Sanjeev Khanna, Justice BR Gavai, and Justice Suryakant played a pivotal role in delivering the recent judgment. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, during the pronouncement of the verdict, underscored a crucial legal perspective. He elucidated that when President’s rule is imposed, there exist limitations on the Union’s powers vis-à-vis the states. This nuanced observation provides a legal framework for understanding the boundaries and constraints on the exercise of authority by the Union government during the imposition of President’s rule in the states. The articulated stance by Chief Justice Chandrachud contributes to the jurisprudential clarity surrounding the intricate interplay of powers between the Union and the states during such constitutional exigencies.

The five judges who rendered the verdict on the challenge to the validity of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir are:

Justice Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud:

Justice Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud, widely known as DY Chandrachud, is a distinguished jurist and currently serves as a judge on the Supreme Court of India. Born on November 11, 1959, in Mumbai, he assumed the role of a judge in the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000. Justice Chandrachud’s legal acumen and commitment to justice led to his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on October 31, 2013.

With an illustrious educational background, DY Chandrachud pursued his Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi. He furthered his academic journey by graduating from the Campus Law Centre at the University of Delhi in 1982, where he obtained his LLB degree. His pursuit of legal knowledge took him to Harvard Law School in the United States, where he earned an LLM degree and a Doctorate of Juridical Sciences (SJD) in 1986.

Notably, Justice Chandrachud’s familial legacy in the legal sphere is substantial, as his father, Yashwant Vishnu Chandrachud, served as the 16th and longest-serving Chief Justice of India from February 22, 1978, to July 11, 1985.

In recognition of his legal prowess and dedication to the judiciary, DY Chandrachud was appointed as a judge to the Supreme Court of India on May 13, 2016. His elevation to the apex court followed a tenure marked by significant contributions in the Bombay High Court and his leadership role in the Allahabad High Court.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul:

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, presently the second most senior judge of the Supreme Court, is a distinguished jurist with a rich legal background. Born on December 26, 1958, in Srinagar, he hails from a Kashmiri Pandit family and has an illustrious lineage deeply connected to the political and administrative history of Jammu and Kashmir.

Justice Kaul’s academic journey commenced with his schooling at Modern School, New Delhi. He pursued his undergraduate studies at St. Stephen’s College, where he acquired a comprehensive education. Subsequently, he earned his law degree from Delhi University, laying the foundation for his legal career.

Embarking on his professional journey, Justice Kaul served as an advocate at the Supreme Court of India from 1987 to 1999, demonstrating a commitment to the legal profession. His dedication and proficiency led to his appointment as a senior advocate in December 1999, marking a significant milestone in his legal career.

The jurist’s familial legacy includes distinguished ancestors who played pivotal roles in the governance of Jammu and Kashmir. His great-grandfather, Suraj Kishan Kaul, served as the Revenue Minister in the Regency Council of the princely state, while his great-grandfather, Sir Daya Kishan Kaul, held positions as a politician and diplomat, serving as the Finance Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

In recognition of his legal expertise and contributions, Justice Kaul was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on May 3, 2001. His commitment to the judiciary and legal excellence led to his elevation as a permanent judge on May 2, 2003. Over the years, he ascended to the position of Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2013 and subsequently assumed the role of Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on July 26, 2014.

Continuing his judicial journey, Justice Kaul reached the pinnacle of his career when he was appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court on February 17, 2017. His trajectory in the legal realm is characterized by a steadfast commitment to justice and a comprehensive understanding of legal intricacies.

Justice Sanjeev Khanna:

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, born on May 14, 1960, is a seasoned jurist with a distinguished legal career. His educational journey began with schooling at the prestigious Modern School in Delhi, and he furthered his academic pursuits by studying law at the Campus Law Center of Delhi University.

After completing his legal education, Justice Khanna enrolled as an advocate with the Delhi Bar Council in 1983, marking the commencement of his professional journey. His dedication to legal advocacy and pursuit of justice led him to serve as an Additional Public Prosecutor, where he argued numerous criminal cases before the Delhi High Court. Additionally, he held the position of Senior Standing Advocate of the Income Tax Division of the Delhi High Court for nearly seven years, showcasing his versatile legal expertise.

Inheriting a legal legacy, Justice Khanna’s father, Dev Raj Khanna, also held the esteemed position of a judge in the Delhi High Court.

Recognizing his legal acumen and contributions to the legal profession, Justice Khanna was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005. Subsequently, in 2006, he was elevated to the status of a permanent judge, solidifying his role in the judiciary.

The apex of his judicial career was reached when Justice Khanna was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on January 18, 2019. His appointment to the highest court in the land reflects not only his legal expertise but also the trust placed in his ability to contribute significantly to the jurisprudence of the country.

As of the provided information, Justice Sanjiv Khanna is scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on May 13, 2025. His tenure in the judiciary is marked by a commitment to justice and a comprehensive understanding of legal intricacies.

Justice B.R. Gavai:

Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai, born on November 24, 1960, in Amaravati, Maharashtra, is a distinguished jurist with a multifaceted career spanning law, politics, and governance. He is the son of R. Su Gavai and has a significant family background in legal and political spheres.

Commencing his legal journey, B.R. Gavai was admitted to the Bar on March 16, 1985. Early in his career, he worked alongside former Advocate General and High Court Judge Raja Bhonsale until 1987. Subsequently, he practiced independently in the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990, after which he primarily practiced law before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.

Justice Gavai’s commitment to public service and legal advocacy led to his appointment as the Public Advocate for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000. His dedication to the legal profession and his contributions to the field were further acknowledged when he was appointed as a permanent judge of the High Court on November 12, 2005.

Beyond his legal career, Justice Gavai has made significant contributions to the political landscape. He is affiliated with the Republican Party of India and has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Member of Parliament (MP) in Maharashtra. Additionally, he has held the position of Governor in three states—Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala.

The pinnacle of Justice Gavai’s legal career was reached when he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019. As of the information provided, he is scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on November 23, 2025. His diverse experiences in law, politics, and governance reflect a well-rounded and accomplished career in the service of the public and the legal system.

Justice Suryakant:

Justice Suryakant, born on February 10, 1962, into a middle-class family in Hisar (Haryana), is a distinguished jurist with a notable legal career. Graduating from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981, he furthered his education by obtaining a Bachelor of Laws from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.

Embarking on his legal journey, Justice Suryakant initiated his practice in 1984 in the District Court, Hisar. Subsequently, in 1985, he transitioned to Chandigarh, focusing on practicing in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His dedication to the legal profession and his exemplary contributions led to his appointment as the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000. Recognizing his expertise, he was designated as a Senior Advocate in March 2001.

Serving as the Advocate General of Haryana, Justice Suryakant continued to excel in his legal pursuits until he achieved a significant milestone in his career. In January 2004, he was elevated to the position of a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, contributing to the jurisprudence of the region.

His commitment to justice and legal acumen were further acknowledged when he assumed the esteemed position of Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018.

Justice Suryakant’s illustrious career reached its zenith when he was appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019. As of the information provided, he is scheduled to retire from the Supreme Court on February 09, 2027. His extensive legal experience, from practicing law in district courts to serving in high judicial offices, reflects a commitment to the pursuit of justice and a comprehensive understanding of legal intricacies.

This panel of distinguished judges collectively delivered the verdict on the petitions challenging the constitutional status of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.