Opposition fields retired Supreme Court judge with a record of progressive rulings in education and judicial independence.
New Delhi: As the Opposition’s nominee for next month’s Vice-Presidential election, retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy brings to the contest a reputation shaped by decades of service marked by progressive judgments, an emphasis on access to education, and a firm belief in judicial independence.
Justice Reddy served on the Supreme Court bench between January 2007 and July 2011, after earlier stints as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court and Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Across these roles, he was known for speaking out on policies and practices that limited access to higher education, particularly for disadvantaged groups.
One notable instance was his disapproval of reserving all seats in the Army College of Medical Sciences for children of Army personnel, despite other candidates qualifying through the entrance process. He cautioned that denying large sections of youth entry to quality higher education could lead to what he described as a potential “social emergency.” His concern reflected a larger judicial philosophy that law must serve as an instrument for inclusion rather than exclusion.
Beyond education, Justice Reddy consistently underscored the importance of maintaining judicial independence while promoting transparency. In a significant case on the disclosure of Supreme Court judges’ assets under the Right to Information Act (RTI), he referred the matter to a larger bench, raising critical questions about balancing accountability with institutional autonomy. His approach indicated that transparency should not undermine judicial independence, a line of thought that continues to shape debates in legal circles.
Born on July 8, 1946, in Andhra Pradesh’s Rangareddy district, Justice Reddy pursued his B.A. and LL.B. before enrolling as an advocate at Hyderabad in 1971. He built his practice around writ and civil matters in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, where he also served as Government Pleader between 1988 and 1990. For a brief period in 1990, he represented the Union government as Additional Standing Counsel. He also worked as legal adviser and standing counsel for Osmania University, gaining experience in a range of public law issues.
Appointed as a permanent Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995, and later elevated as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005, Justice Reddy’s judicial career was defined by his commitment to fair process and responsible use of judicial power. He reinforced guidelines on public interest litigation (PIL), cautioning High Court judges against taking up suo motu cases based solely on anonymous complaints. Such interventions, he warned, risked undermining credibility unless supported by verifiable evidence.
Even after his retirement in 2011, Justice Reddy continued to be associated with public causes. In 2022, the Supreme Court appointed him oversight authority for the implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Plan for Mining Impact Zone in Karnataka, reflecting confidence in his ability to supervise sensitive environmental matters.
His candidature for Vice President comes at a politically charged moment. The election, scheduled for September 9, was necessitated by the mid-term resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down citing health reasons. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has described the contest as an “ideological battle,” though the Opposition acknowledges that its candidate is unlikely to prevail over NDA’s nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan given the ruling coalition’s strength in Parliament. The Opposition plans to formally file Justice Reddy’s nomination papers on August 21, followed by a strategy meeting in the Central Hall.
Regardless of the outcome, Justice Reddy’s entry into the Vice-Presidential race has already turned the spotlight on a judicial career built on progressive values and an enduring belief that democracy flourishes only when access to education is widened and institutions remain independent.
