Alok Singh
On 16 Jan 2025, Justice K Vinod Chandran took oath as a Supreme Court judge by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna. Born in 1963 in Paravur, Ernakulam, Justice Chandran initially worked at the State Bank of Travancore. However, his deep passion for justice drove him towards law, and he left his secure banking job to pursue law, a decision he described as “burning bridges.”
He began his legal career as a tax lawyer and served as a Special Government Pleader (Taxes) for Kerala from 2007 to 2011. Appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court in 2011, he made his mark with his strong stance on judicial efficiency, walking out of court in 2013 to protest government pleaders’ unpreparedness.
Elevated as Chief Justice of Patna High Court in 2023, Justice Chandran delivered several significant judgments. He upheld the Bihar caste survey as a valid exercise of state power to identify backward classes and protected transgender rights by ensuring they were not categorized as a separate caste. He also upheld fee regulations for private schools, emphasizing that education should not become a profit-driven enterprise.
He is known for innovative stance on various aspects of law like he introduced e-initiatives in the Patna High Court, enhancing access to judgments in English and Hindi. He was recommended for elevation by the Collegium in January 2024, and his appointment restored Kerala’s representation in the Supreme Court after a long gap.
With a tenure until April 2028, Justice Chandran’s career exemplifies risk-taking, judicial reform, and a steadfast commitment to justice.