K.M. Joseph: A remarkable judge whose legacy will endure
The independence of the Supreme Court is integral to the maintenance of a democratic way of life and the rule of law. It is not very difficult for a nation which is a democracy having a Constitution to slip into chaos, into just the opposite of democracy— Justice K.M. Joseph.
Prameela K
Published on: 20 June 2023, 11:17 am
The independence of the Supreme Court is integral to the maintenance of a democratic way of life and the rule of law. It is not very difficult for a nation which is a democracy having a Constitution to slip into chaos, into just the opposite of democracy— Justice K.M. Joseph.
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AS Justice K.M. Joseph retired on June 16 this year, it is worth reflecting on the significant impact he has made on the Indian judiciary through his judgments. From quashing the President's rule in Uttarakhand to taking a tough stand against hate speeches, Justice K.M. Joseph has left an indelible mark on the history of Indian judiciary.
He is a native of Kottayam, Kerala, and was first appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court in 2004. During his tenure as a high court judge, he upheld environmental regulations in Kapico Kerala Resorts Private Limited versus Ratheesh K.R. (2013), whereby he ordered the demolition of a seven-star resort project estimated at around ₹200 crore, which was constructed on a private island in the backwaters.
After serving as a judge for around 10 years, Justice K.M. Joseph was appointed as a Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court in 2014, where he passed some remarkable rulings. In Harish Chandra Singh Rawat versus Union of India And Another (2016), he came down heavily on the ruling party for imposing President's rule in the state while restoring the Harish Rawat-led Congress government.
