Justice Surya Kant is set to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. Here are some key cases and remarks associated with him:
Key Cases:
- Right to Privacy: Justice Kant was part of the 9-judge bench that ruled in the landmark case of Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India (2017), affirming the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.
- Ayodhya Dispute: He was part of the 5-judge bench that delivered the verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case (2019), allowing the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site.
- Rafale Deal: Justice Kant was part of the 3-judge bench that dismissed review petitions challenging the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France (2019).
- Section 377: He was part of the 5-judge bench that decriminalized consensual homosexual relationships between adults by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (2018).
Remarks:
- On Judicial Independence: Justice Kant has emphasized the importance of judicial independence, stating that "independence of the judiciary is the foundation of democracy" (2020).
- On Collegium System: He has expressed support for the Collegium system of appointing judges, saying it is "the best system" for ensuring independence of the judiciary (2020).
- On Social Media and Free Speech: Justice Kant has cautioned against the misuse of social media, stating that "free speech is not absolute" and that "there is a need to balance free speech with other rights" (2022).
- On Access to Justice: He has emphasized the need to improve access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities, stating that "access to justice is a fundamental right" (2020).
Other notable facts:
- Justice Surya Kant was appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004 and later became the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018.
- He has been a strong advocate for the use of technology in the judiciary, launching various e-court initiatives during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
- Justice Kant has also been involved in various social and charitable initiatives, including the promotion of legal literacy and awareness programs.
It is essential to note that these are just a few examples of Justice Surya Kant’s key cases and remarks, and his tenure as CJI will likely be shaped by a wide range of factors, including his judicial philosophy, leadership style, and the complex legal and social issues that the Indian judiciary faces.
