Who was Justice V R Krishna Iyer?

Justice V R Krishna Iyer was an eminent Indian jurist whose contributions to the legal field have left an indelible mark on the Indian judicial system. Born on 15^th November 1914, in Kerala, India, Vaidyanathapura Rama Krishna Iyer, fondly known as Justice V R Krishna Iyer, rose to prominence as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

How was the Career Journey of Justice V R Krishna Iyer?

• Justice V R Krishna Iyer received his education at Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School in Thalassery, Government Victoria College in Palakkad, Annamalai University, and Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai.
• He commenced his legal practice in his father's chamber in Thalassery, Malabar, in 1938.
• In 1948, he was incarcerated for a month on false charges of aiding communists, after he objected to police brutality during interrogation.
• He was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1952.
• In 1968, he was appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court, where he served with distinction for many years.
• In 1973, he was elevated to the SC, where he continued his crusade for justice and equality.
• His judgements reflected a keen sense of empathy and a profound understanding of the complexities of Indian society.
• He retired from the SC in 1980 but remained actively involved in legal advocacy and social causes until his passing in December 2014.

What are the Notable Judgments of Justice V R Krishna Iyer?

• Mumbai Kamgar Sabha, Bombay v. M/S Abdulbhai Faizullabhai & Ors (1976):
  • Justice V R Krishna Iyer came with the idea of introducing public interest litigation in India.
  • Justice Iyer also talked about public interest, it was stated in the judgment “Public interest is promoted by a spacious construction of locus standi in our socio-economic circumstances and conceptual latitudinarianism permits taking liberties with individualization of the right to invoke the higher courts where the remedy is shared by a considerable number, particularly when they are weaker”.
• Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978):
  • In this groundbreaking case, Justice Krishna Iyer delivered a landmark judgement that expanded the scope of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The case challenged the constitutional validity of passport impoundment and travel restrictions imposed by the Indian government.
  • Justice Krishna Iyer's judgement emphasized the fundamental right to travel abroad as an integral aspect of personal freedom, paving the way for broader interpretations of Article 21 in subsequent cases.
• Sunil Batra v. Delhi Administration (1979):
  • In this case Justice V R Krishna Iyer declared the prisoners must be considered as human beings.
  • This is a landmark case about prisoner’s rights.
• C B Muthamma v. Union of India & Ors (1979):
  • In this case Rule 18 of the Indian Foreign Service (Recruitment Cadre, Seniority and Promotion) Rules, 1961 was challenged which provided that no married woman shall be entitled as of right to be appointed to the service.
  • The bench also consisting of Justice V R Krishna Iyer observed that, “Discrimination against women, in traumatic transparency, is found in this rule”.
    • If a woman member shall obtain the permission of government before she marries, the same risk is run by government if a male member contracts a marriage.
    • If the family and domestic commitments of a woman member of the Service is likely to come in the way of efficient discharge of duties, a similar situation may well arise in the case of a male member.
    • In these days of nuclear families, inter-continental marriages and unconventional behaviour, one fails to understand the naked bias against the gentler of the species.
• Municipal Council, Ratlam v. Shri Vardhichand & Ors (1980):
  • Justice V R krishna Iyer in this case held that “Wherever there is a public nuisance, the presence of Section 133 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) must be felt and any contrary opinion is contrary to the law”.