Two legal luminaries honoured with Padma Awards 2025

New Delhi, Jan 26 (UNI) Bringing cheers to the Indian juridical community, two legal luminaries including a former chief justice of the country have been conferred with the prestigious Padma Awards this year.

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award. Senior Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan has been honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award.

Both of them have been feted under the “Public Affairs” category.

Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar is regarded as a trailblazing jurist Justice Khehar, who made history as the first Sikh Chief Justice of India, served as the 44th CJI from January to August, 2017.

During his tenure, he delivered several landmark judgments that have left an indelible mark on Indian jurisprudence. Some of his notable contributions include abolishing instant triple talaq: paving the way for gender justice and equality in family law.

Justice Khehar also suggested mediation in the Ram Janam Bhoomi dispute. He said such cases should be dealt with as per the sentiments of the people and opined that religious issues of this nature could be resolved through negotiations.

In a historic judgment, he declared the Right to Privacy a Fundamental Right by considering it an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution, transforming India’s legal framework on personal liberty.

Besides, Justice Khehar was instrumental in striking down the 99th Constitutional Amendment that had passed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act. The scrapping of the Act ensured that judicial appointments remained within the judiciary’s purview.

Justice Khehar’s career, marked by excellence and dedication, began at the Bar in 1979. He served as an additional Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, and later the Karnataka High Court, before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.

Senior Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, known as the Champion of Justice, a legal luminary with decades of experience, has been awarded the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to public affairs.

Known for his profound legal acumen, he has argued several high-profile cases, including his pivotal role in the historic Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

Vaidyanathan is widely respected for his advocacy on issues such as access to justice, accountability of government officials, and Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) at the Supreme Court. His dedication to upholding the rule of law has significantly enriched the Indian legal system.

The Padma Awards, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, are among India’s highest civilian honours. This year, President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of 139 awards across three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards recognize outstanding contributions in various fields, including art, public affairs, science, and social work.

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