A. N. Ray
Encyclopedia
Ajit Nath Ray was the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of India
from 25 April 1973 until his retirement on 28 January 1977.
This appointment superseded three senior judges of the Supreme Court, Grover, Shelat and Hegde, and was viewed as an attack on the independence of the Judiciary. This was unprecedented in Indian legal history, and has been called the "blackest day in Indian democracy". It was marked by widespread protests by bar associations and legal groups across India. The protests continued for many months and on 3 May 1976 all legal groups in India observed a "Bar solidarity day" and stopped from work.
Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah
(who was CJI earlier) remarked that this " this was an attempt of not creating 'forward looking judges' but the 'judges looking forward' to the plumes of the office of Chief Justice". The process continued with the controversial appointment of Justice Beg superseding Hans Raj Khanna
in 1977.
Ultimately, the powers of the Judiciary over judicial appointments was re-established under the Morarji Desai
government with Shanti Bhushan
as law minister.
ADM Jabalpur v. Shiv Kant Shukla is the major decisions during tenure as Chief Justice.
Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking judge in the Supreme Court of India, and thus holds the highest judicial position in India. As well as presiding in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice also head its administrative functions....
of the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
from 25 April 1973 until his retirement on 28 January 1977.
Controversial Appointment
In August 1969, he was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and became Chief Justice of India in April 1973.This appointment superseded three senior judges of the Supreme Court, Grover, Shelat and Hegde, and was viewed as an attack on the independence of the Judiciary. This was unprecedented in Indian legal history, and has been called the "blackest day in Indian democracy". It was marked by widespread protests by bar associations and legal groups across India. The protests continued for many months and on 3 May 1976 all legal groups in India observed a "Bar solidarity day" and stopped from work.
Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah
Mohammad Hidayatullah
Mohammad Hidayatullah , OBE was the Chief Justice of India. He served as the acting President of India and was also the sixth Vice-President of India for one complete term...
(who was CJI earlier) remarked that this " this was an attempt of not creating 'forward looking judges' but the 'judges looking forward' to the plumes of the office of Chief Justice". The process continued with the controversial appointment of Justice Beg superseding Hans Raj Khanna
Hans Raj Khanna
Justice Hans Raj Khanna was a judge of the Supreme Court of India . In the Habeas Corpus case during the Indian Emergency, four other judges went with the government view that even right to life stood abrogated during Emergency...
in 1977.
Ultimately, the powers of the Judiciary over judicial appointments was re-established under the Morarji Desai
Morarji Desai
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai was an Indian independence activist and the fourth Prime Minister of India from 1977–79. He was the first Indian Prime Minister who did not belong to the Indian National Congress...
government with Shanti Bhushan
Shanti Bhushan
Shanti Bhushan in Allahabad, United Provinces is a former Law Minister of India at Ministry of Law and Justice in the Morarji Desai Ministry and also a senior advocate...
as law minister.
ADM Jabalpur v. Shiv Kant Shukla is the major decisions during tenure as Chief Justice.