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CJI Dr Justice DY Chandrachud’s key judgments in Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud, during his six-year tenure as Supreme Court judge, has used his vast knowledge of law and the Constitution to deliver verdicts, which have redefined the Indian judiciary. Some of the most remarkable judgements by the 50th CJI are:

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 2022

Chief Justice of India Dr Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud has been part of many landmark verdicts, during his six-year tenure as a Supreme Court judge. With sound knowledge of law and the Constitution, he has given verdicts redefining the Indian judiciary. Some of the most remarkable verdicts by the CJI-designate are:

Permanent commission for women in armed forces

A Bench led by Dr Justice DY Chandrachud broke the glass ceiling by enabling women officers in the Indian Army to get permanent commission and command postings in February, 2020. The Apex Court rejected the Centre’s stance on their physical limitations, which was based on gender performance and other stereotypes that discriminated against women.

Another Bench headed by him later delivered a similar verdict for women in the Indian Navy, permitting them a permanent commission as well.

Right to Privacy as a fundamental right

On August 24, 2017, a nine-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Justice Chandrachud, unanimously held that the right to privacy should be guaranteed as a fundamental right under the Constitution. The order was passed on a writ petition filed by Justice KS Puttaswamy, a retired judge of the High Court, challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme introduced by the UPA Government.

Decriminalisation of Section 377 under the Indian Penal Code

On September 6, 2018, the five-Judge Bench led by then Chief Justice of India and also comprising Justice Rohinton Nariman, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Indu Malhotra partially struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, decriminalising same-sex relations between consenting adults on the grounds that it discriminated against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity, thus violating Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.

The Apex Court, however, upheld the provisions in Section 377 that criminalised non-consensual acts or sexual acts performed on animals.

Granting abortion rights to unmarried women, transgenders

The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Chandrachud extended the benefits of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 (MTP Act) to unmarried women and transgenders on September 29 this year.

The verdict was delivered on the International Safe Abortion Day, with the Bench noting that the law should not decide the beneficiaries of a statute based on narrow patriarchal principles about what constitutes permissible sex as it would create invidious classifications.

Striking down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code

A five-Judge Bench, comprising then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice RF Nariman, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra termed Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as unconstitutional on the grounds that it was parochial, arbitrary and violated the right to equality and privacy.

Entry of women in Sabarimala temple

A five-judge Constitution Bench of then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Rohinton Nariman, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra permitted women of menstruating age to enter Sabarimala temple in September 2018, observing that all Hindu pilgrims, regardless of gender, were permitted to enter the temple.

Any exception placed on women because of biological differences violated the Right to Equality under Article 14 and the Right to Freedom of Religion under Article 25 of the Constitution, the Court had held.

The Ayodhya verdict

The five-Judge Constitution Bench, led by the then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, and comprising Justice SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul S Nazeer, brought down the curtains on November 9, 2019 on the 161-year-old case, by clearing the path for the construction of a Ram Temple at the Ayodhya site. The Apex Court had further directed the Central government to allot five acres to the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board for building a mosque.

Giving recognition to living will of terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia

A five-judge bench comprising the then CJI Dipak Misra, Justice AK Sikri, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan delivered a verdict on March 9, 2018, recognising the ‘living will’ made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia.

Razing of Supertech’s Twin Towers

On August 31, 2021, a Bench headed by Justice Chandrachud had upheld the Allahabad High Court order, giving its nod to the demolition of the twin towers by real-estate major Supertech on the grounds that the 40-storey buildings located in Noida were constructed illegally, and violated building norms.

Related Topics:50th CJI Justice DY Chandrachud Supreme Court

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

10 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

15 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

20 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.