Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) JS Khehar and senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan were among 139 individuals honored with Padma awards on the eve of India's 76th Republic Day.
The government announced a total of seven Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Justice Khehar received the Padma Vibhushan, while CS Vaidyanathan was honored with the Padma Shri.
CS Vaidyanathan is well-known for representing deity Ram Lalla Virajman in the landmark Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case.
Justice JS Khehar holds the distinction of being the first Sikh Chief Justice of India. He served as a Supreme Court judge from September 13, 2011, and played a significant role in many landmark judgments during his tenure.
He led the Constitution Bench that struck down the Centre's National Judicial Appointments Commission Act and set aside the imposition of President's Rule in Arunachal Pradesh in 2016.
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Justice Khehar was also part of the bench that sent Sahara chief Subrata Roy to jail for failing to refund money to investors. He delivered a minority opinion in the triple talaq case, defending it as a fundamental right while recognizing it as part of religious freedom. However, the practice was ultimately declared unconstitutional.
A significant judgment under his leadership came from a nine-judge Constitution Bench that ruled the "right to privacy" as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, emphasizing its connection to the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
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