Upholding the Constitution, guided by personal morals

Few names shine as bright as Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi in the history of India's judiciary.

- Ashish Bharadwaj

A defender of constitutional morality and a champion of justice, he dedicated his life to upholding the values of equity, secularism, and human dignity.

In 1964, when he was 32 years old, he was appointed as a judge in the civil and sessions court in Ahmedabad. Thirty years ago, in 1994, he was appointed the 26th Chief Justice of India (CJI). In his biography, The Fearless Judge, his granddaughter, Insiyah Vahanvaty, paints a vivid picture of how Ahmadi navigated the complexities of his role because of radically difficult choices and ethical dilemmas. Yet, he remained true to his core belief that the judiciary must, at all costs, defend the rule of law and the integrity of the Constitution.

He came to represent the preservation of constitutional values and the defence of the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. One of his most significant contributions was his unwavering commitment to secularism.