J. S. Verma, Indian judge, 27th Chief Justice of India (b. 1933)

Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma, born on 18 January 1933 and passing away on 22 April 2013, stands as one of India's most distinguished jurists. His illustrious career culminated in his appointment as the 27th Chief Justice of India, a role he fulfilled with profound dedication from 25 March 1997 to 18 January 1998. Beyond his pivotal tenure at the apex court, Justice Verma continued to serve the nation in significant capacities, including as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) from 1999 to 2003, where he championed the protection and promotion of human rights across the country. His unwavering commitment to justice was further demonstrated when he chaired the Justice Verma Committee Report, tasked with recommending crucial amendments to India's criminal law in the aftermath of the harrowing 2012 Delhi gang rape case, a moment that shook the nation and demanded legislative reform.

Justice Verma’s legacy is deeply intertwined with his groundbreaking approach to judicial innovation, earning him the moniker "the face of judicial activism" in India. This judicial philosophy saw the Supreme Court, under his guidance, proactively intervene to safeguard constitutional principles and protect the rights of citizens, particularly when the executive or legislative branches appeared to fall short. He is widely celebrated for forging powerful new judicial tools that profoundly shaped Indian jurisprudence. One such innovation was continuing mandamus, a unique legal mechanism that allowed courts to maintain ongoing oversight of their directives, ensuring their proper and sustained implementation rather than merely issuing one-time orders. This ensured accountability and effective governance.

Perhaps his most indelible contribution to Indian law and society is the landmark Vishaka Judgement of 1997. In the absence of specific legislation addressing sexual harassment at the workplace, Justice Verma's bench courageously stepped in to fill this vacuum. The Vishaka Guidelines, as they came to be known, provided comprehensive measures for the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment, effectively becoming law until Parliament enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act in 2013. This judgement not only expanded the protection of fundamental rights, particularly the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) for working women, but also underscored his profound commitment to women's empowerment and dignity. Beyond these specific instances, Justice Verma's judicial philosophy consistently championed probity in public life, advocated for greater judicial accountability, and worked tirelessly towards enhancing social justice for all sections of society, solidifying his reputation as one of India's most revered Chief Justices and eminent jurists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma?

Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma was an eminent Indian jurist who served as the 27th Chief Justice of India from 1997 to 1998. He is highly regarded for his judicial innovation, particularly for his role in judicial activism and the protection of fundamental rights.

What was Justice Verma's tenure as Chief Justice of India?

He served as the Chief Justice of India from 25 March 1997 to 18 January 1998.

What is Justice J.S. Verma most known for?

Justice Verma is most known for his judicial activism, which led to landmark judgments and the creation of innovative judicial tools like "continuing mandamus." His most famous contribution is arguably the Vishaka Judgement, which laid down guidelines for preventing sexual harassment at the workplace.

What was the significance of the Vishaka Judgement?

The Vishaka Judgement (1997) was a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of India, led by Justice Verma, that established guidelines for preventing and redressing sexual harassment of women in the workplace. These guidelines served as law until specific legislation was enacted, significantly expanding fundamental rights protection for working women and promoting women's empowerment.

What was the Justice Verma Committee?

Following the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape case, Justice Verma was appointed to chair a committee that recommended crucial amendments to India's criminal laws, particularly those related to sexual offenses, aiming to make them more stringent and effective.