Sharad Arvind Bobde has been an important figure in the Indian judiciary, where he served as the 47th Chief Justice of India. He was known for his balanced approach and commitment to support the rule of law. Justice Bobde has greatly influenced the legal landscape of India.
He is the son of Arvind Shrinivas Bobde and Smt. Pramila Bobde. Justice Bobde assumed office as the Chief Justice on November 18, 2019, and served until his retirement on April 23, 2021. During his tenure, he was involved in landmark cases such as the Ayodhya land dispute, the Aadhaar case, and issues related to technology and privacy.
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Early Life and Education
Sharad Arvind Bobde was born on April 24, 1956, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. When growing up, he had a rich legal background, which helped him to develop an early interest in law. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and then pursued a degree in law from Nagpur University. Justice Bobde's education helped him in a deep understanding of legal principles, which he later applied in his legal career.
Profile of Justice Bobde
- Date of Birth: April 24, 1956
- Place of Birth: Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Spouse: Not publicly disclosed
- Children: Not publicly disclosed
- Education and Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Nagpur University
- Predecessor: Ranjan Gogoi (46th CJI)
- Successor: N.V. Ramana (48th CJI)
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Justice Bobde’s Career
Justice Bobde started practising law in 1978 by enrolling in the Bar Council of Maharashtra as an advocate, where he focused on constitutional, administrative, and company law. His strong legal knowledge and dedication gave him respect as a lawyer who was known for handling complex legal issues with precision.
In 2000, Justice Bobde was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court, where he was known for his thorough judgments.
In 2012, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India. As a Supreme Court judge, he participated in numerous high-profile cases, showing a commitment to constitutional rights and civil liberties. His appointment as the Chief Justice of India in 2019 helped him reach the top of his judicial career.
Justice Bobde’s Influential Court Decisions
Ayodhya Land Dispute
In M. Siddiq v. Mahant Suresh Das, a five-judge bench, including Ranjan Gogoi, S.A. Bobde, Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan, and S. Abdul Nazeer, resolved the Ayodhya Title dispute. They unanimously held that the disputed land should be given to a trust to build the Ram Temple. To address the interests of both parties, the Court also ordered that a suitable 5-acre plot should be given to the Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.
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Privacy Judgement
Justice Bobde was also part of a nine-judge bench in the case of K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India that made an important decision confirming that the right to privacy is a fundamental part of the right to life and personal freedom under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court held that the right to privacy is an essential part of Article 21 and the freedoms in Part III of the Constitution.
Aadhar Case
In K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India, Justice Bobde was part of a three-judge bench that helped establish the ‘Right to Privacy’ as a fundamental right. The bench decided that the question of Aadhaar's validity should be looked at by a larger bench. Until a decision was made, it ruled that having an Aadhaar card would not be mandatory for citizens, and people could not be required to show an Aadhaar card to receive benefits they were entitled to.
Election Appeals Case
In the case of Abhiram Singh v. C.D. Commachen (2017), a seven-judge bench ruled that making appeals based on religion, race, caste, community, or language during elections is considered "corrupt practice" and is illegal under Section 123 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951. In the concurring opinion, Justice Bobde said that such appeals should be avoided to maintain the secular nature of democratic life.
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Rohingya Case
In Mohammad Salimullah v. Union of India (2021), a bench led by Chief Justice Bobde held that Rohingya refugees cannot claim protection against deportation under Article 19(1)(e), which guarantees freedom of movement. The bench clarified that the fundamental rights under Article 19 are only available to citizens of India.
Justice Bobde’s Legacy
Justice S.A. Bobde was involved in significant events and decisions in the Supreme Court, where he was involved in some of the most important judgments in Indian history, such as the Ayodhya verdict, which resolved one of the longest-standing disputes in the country. His tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he played an important role in ensuring that the courts continued to function under challenging circumstances.
Justice Bobde carried a legacy where he authored 68 judgements and was part of 560 benches, showing his contributions to impactful and important discussions within the legal community. Justice Bobde is defined by his commitment to justice and the development of the legal system in India which inspires both legal professionals and the public.
References
- [S.A. Bobde] (https://www.scobserver.in/judges/sharad-bobde/)
- Chief Justice SA Bobde retires: A look at his legacy and justice in the time of COVID-19
- Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde

Written by Chandra Kant Singh
Aspiring lawyer with a passion for justice and a strong foundation in organisation, communication, and problem-solving skills. Currently pursuing a B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) degree at RMLNLU, where I am actively involved in moot court and NegMed competitions. Eager to leverage my skills and academic background to contribute to a dynamic legal environment and make a positive impact on society.
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Further Reading
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