Sarv Mittra Sikri

Sarv Mittra Sikri
13th Chief Justice of India
In office 22 January 1971 – 25 April 1973
Appointed by	V. V. Giri
Preceded by	Jayantilal Chhotalal Shah
Succeeded by	Ajit Nath Ray
Judge, Supreme Court of India
In office 3 February 1964 – 25 April 1973
Personal details
Born	26 April 1908[1]
Died	24 September 1992 (aged 84)
Nationality	Indian

Sarv Mittra Sikri (26 April 1908 – 24 September 1992) was the 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 22 January 1971 until his retirement on 25 April 1973.^[2]

He began his legal career in 1930 as an attorney practicing at the Lahore High Court. Following independence, he was appointed the Assistant Advocate General of Punjab in 1949. He served as advocate general from 1951 to 1964.

In February 1964, he was appointed as judge of the Supreme Court of India, and became Chief Justice of India in January 1971. He was the first Judge of the Supreme Court to have been appointed directly from the Bar, and also the first Chief Justice of India directly from the Bar. He was second in seniority but was appointed as seniormost judge Zafar Imam refused the honour on health grounds. (This is incorrect... Justice Sikri was the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court when he was appointed Chief Justice upon the retirement of Chief Justice J.C. Shah)

Kesavananda Bharati vs. The State of Kerala is a major decision during his tenure as chief justice. He is credited with outlining the Basic Structure doctrine of the Constitution of India.^[3]

References

1. "Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.M. Sikri". Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
2. "Sarv Mittra Sikri". Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
3. "Kesavananda Bharati ... vs State Of Kerala And Anr on 24 April, 1973". Indian Kanoon. Para 316. Retrieved 2012-06-24.