As Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud steps down on November 10, he leaves behind an impactful legacy in the Supreme Court’s history. Chandrachud, known for his prolific judicial contributions, authored 92 judgments during his tenure—more than the combined output of the previous four CJIs. For context, former CJI SH Kapadia, who served a similar two-year term, delivered only 27 judgments, highlighting Chandrachud’s commitment and hard work.

Among his notable decisions, Chandrachud played a crucial role in leading the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370. This landmark ruling, delivered in December last year, addressed numerous petitions that challenged the government’s 2019 decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status and reorganize it into two Union territories.

In delivering the judgment, the bench refused to rule on the Presidential rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in December 2018. Chandrachud emphasized that Union decisions on behalf of the state under Presidential rule cannot be open to challenge, noting that such a stance would risk bringing the state’s administration to a standstill.

The court also clarified that Jammu and Kashmir’s constitution does not reference sovereignty. Chandrachud noted that Article 370 was always intended as a temporary provision, established under unique wartime circumstances, and pointed out that the article’s text itself designates it as a transitional arrangement.

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