Justice M.N. Venkatachaiah, India Legal’s Chief Patron and former Chief Justice of India, has turned 92 today.
A champion of human rights, Justice Venkatachaliah had contributed his suggestions and ideas to the commission tasked with reviewing the working of the Constitution.
During his tenure as CJI, Venkatachaliah spurred efforts to cut down on the pendency in courts. He remains India Legal’s guiding light for his wisdom on several issues concerning the Indian judiciary.
In an interview to India Legal MD and Editor-in-Chief Rajshri Rai, Venkatachaliah had said that the judiciary cannot be immune to criticism and should be accountable for its actions. He said a strong judicial system is paramount for a strong democracy and be open to external assessment of its social relevance and utility.
Justice Venkatachaliah said the judiciary makes the world a better place to live in, he had said.
When he had been approached to be India Legal’s patron, Justice Venkatachaliah, in his characteristic self-effacing fashion, responded, “Out of sheer respect for your sentiments, I accept to be the ‘Chief Patron’ if you still insist.”
At the Legal Leadership Challenge organized in Bangalore, Justice Venkatachaliah said the combined effect of new and emerging technologies will compel all political, social, economic, administrative systems including the medical sciences to adapt and change.
The judicial system will equally be transformed. In the transformed situation ‘Mediation’ will find the pride of place as a human tool to allay injustice and promote harmony, he said.
For the ENC Group, it is a privilege and honour to have him a staunch and consistent crusader for good governance as the chief patron. We wish Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah a very happy birthday and wish he continues to mentor us ahead.
Venkatachaliah was born on October 25, 1929. He started practicing law in 1951 after completing his law education from the University of Bangalore. He was appointed Permanent Judge of the Karnataka High Court in 1975 and elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India in 1987. In February 1993, Justice Venkatachaliah became the Chief Justice of India and retired in 1994 and continues to work for issues pertaining to human rights and anti-corruption.
He served as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission from 1996-1998. He is currently serving as chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam.