Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s recent retirement has sparked widespread debate about his legacy, a conversation amplified by his rare public reflections on how future generations might evaluate his contributions to the judiciary. This discourse gained further momentum following Saurav Das’s investigative article in The Caravan, which offered sharp critiques of Justice Chandrachud’s tenure. While the piece was lauded for its depth, it also drew criticism for relying on anonymous sources.
What makes Justice Chandrachud’s legacy particularly intriguing is the shift in focus—from his judicial pronouncements to the numerous speeches he delivered during the latter part of his career. These speeches often overshadowed his judicial work, prompting debates on the role of judges in shaping public discourse beyond the courtroom. This shift raises an important question: should a judge’s legacy be evaluated based on binding precedents or on their broader contributions to legal thought and public engagement?
Recognizing the importance of this discussion, NLSIR seeks to deepen the conversation through this special blog series. Our focus is to critically examine the evolution of the judiciary under Justice Chandrachud’s leadership—not merely as a reflection of past events but as developments with far-reaching implications for Indian jurisprudence. We aim to analyze both his judicial decisions and his administrative role as Chief Justice, exploring how the judiciary addressed contemporary challenges during his tenure.
As an institution committed to producing meaningful legal scholarship, NLSIR believes this conversation should be accessible to a diverse audience—court observers, law students, practitioners, and academics alike. Through this series, we hope to provide a balanced and comprehensive account of Justice Chandrachud’s impact, offering insights into how his decisions and leadership may influence the judiciary in the years to come.
NLSIR Editorial Board 2024-25*
*The Editorial Board thanks Prabhat Rajagopalan and Rushil Batra for ideating the theme, and conceptualizing the series
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