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{{short description|33rd Chief Justice of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{short description|33rd Chief Justice of India}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox Judge
| name                = Vishweshwar Nath Khare
| name                = Vishweshwar Nath Khare
| image              = Justice V.N. Khare.jpg
| image              = [[File: Justice V.N. Khare.jpg|alt|250px]]
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            =  
| caption            =  
| order              = 33rd
| office              = [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[Central University of Jharkhand]]
| office              = Chief Justice of India
| term_start          = August 2017
| term_start          = 19 Dec 2002
| term_end            = December 2023
| term_end            = 2 May 2004
| appointer          = [[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| nominator          =
| appointer          = [[A. P. J. Kalam]]
| predecessor        = [[Gopal Ballav Pattanaik]]
| successor          = [[S. Rajendra Babu]]
| birth_name          = <!-- only use if different from name above -->
| birth_name          = <!-- only use if different from name above -->
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1939|5|2|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1939|5|2|df=y}}
| birth_place        = Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| birth_place        = Allahabad, United Provinces, British India (Present day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India)
| death_date          =  
| death_date          =  
| death_place        =  
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| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| monuments          =
| residence          = Allahabad
| residence          =  
| nationality        = Indian
| nationality        = Indian
| other_names        =
| citizenship        = India
| ethnicity          =
| citizenship        =  
| education          =
| occupation          =
| years_active        =
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| religion            = <!-- Religion should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| religion            = <!-- Religion should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| denomination        = <!-- Denomination should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| spouse              =  
| spouse              =  
| partner            = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) -->
| partner            = <!-- (unmarried long-term partner) -->
| children            =  
| children            = 2
| parents            =  
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| alma_mater          = [[Allahabad University]]
| alma_mater          = [[Allahabad University]]
| signature          =  
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| footnotes          =  
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| office1            = [[Judge]] of [[Supreme Court of India]]
| office1            = Chief Justice of India
| termstart1          = 21 March 1997
| termstart1          = 19 December 2002
| termend1            = 01 May 2004
| termend1            = 01 May 2004
| appointer1          = [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]]
| appointer1         = [[A. P. J. Kalam]]
| office2            = [[Judge]] of [[Supreme Court of India]]
| appointer2         = [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]]
| order1              = 33rd
| predecessor1        = [[Gopal Ballav Pattanaik]]
| successor1          = [[S. Rajendra Babu]]
| termstart2          = 21 March 1997
| termend2            = 18 December 2002
| honorific_suffix    = Hon'ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.)
| office3            = [[List of Former Chief Justices of High Courts of India#Calcutta High Court|29th Chief Justice]] of [[Calcutta High Court]]
| appointer3          = [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]]
| predecessor3        = [[Krishna Chandra Agarwal]]
| successor3          = [[Prabha Shankar Mishra]]
| termstart3          = 2 February 1996
| termend3            = 20 March 1997
| office4            = [[Judge]] of [[Allahabad High Court]]
| termstart4          = 25 June 1983
| termend4            = 1 February 1996
| nominator2          = [[A. M. Ahmadi]]
| nominator3          = [[A. M. Ahmadi]]
| nominator4          = [[Y. V. Chandrachud]]
| appointer4          = [[Zail Singh]]
}}
}}


'''Vishweshwar Nath Khare''' was the 33rd [[Chief Justice of India]], serving from 19 December 2002 to 2 May 2004. He was a judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] from 21 March 1997 before he was elevated to the post of Chief Justice.
'''Vishweshwar Nath Khare''' is a retired Indian judge who served as the 33rd [[Chief Justice of India]], from 19 December 2002 to 1 May 2004. He also served as the [[Chancellor (education)|Chancellor]] of the [[Central University of Jharkhand]] from 2017 to 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Central University of Jharkhand |url=http://cuj.ac.in/chancellor.php |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=cuj.ac.in}}</ref> He was a judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] from 21 March 1997 before he was elevated to the post of Chief Justice.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Khare was born in [[Allahabad]] on 2 May 1939. He lived in Allahabad for much of his life and did his schooling from [[St. Joseph's College, Allahabad]]. He further attended the [[Allahabad University]]. Khare was a First Class cricket player, playing for the state of Uttar Pradesh in [[Ranji Trophy]] matches in 1958.
Khare was born in [[Allahabad]] in a [[Kayastha]] family on 2 May 1939.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-07 |title=Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.N. Khare |url=https://nalsa.gov.in/patron-in-chief/hon-ble-mr-justice-v-n-khare |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=nalsa.gov.in |language=en}}</ref> He attended [[St. Joseph's College, Allahabad]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=28 January 2006 |title=Justice Khare a great role model |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/justice-khare-a-great-role-model/story-IVw19eHi7jBTvRt7bGAWqO.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127113004/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/justice-khare-a-great-role-model/story-IVw19eHi7jBTvRt7bGAWqO.html |archive-date=27 January 2023 |access-date=10 April 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=live }}</ref> and later the [[Allahabad University]].<ref name=":0" /> Khare was a First Class cricketer, playing for the state of Uttar Pradesh in [[Ranji Trophy]] matches in 1958.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}}


==Legal career==
==Legal career==
Khare started his career as an Advocate in the [[Allahabad High Court]] in 1961, where he practised on Civil, Writ and Revenue petitions. He was appointed Chief Standing Counsel for the [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]]. On 25 June 1983, he was appointed a Judge of the [[Allahabad High Court]]. In early 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of the [[Calcutta High Court]], from where he was elevated to the [[Supreme Court of India]] a year later.
Khare started his career as an [[advocate]] in the [[Allahabad High Court]] in 1961, where he practiced on [[Code of Civil Procedure (India)|civil]], [[writ]] and [[Tax law|revenue]] petitions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=10 December 2002 |title=Justice V N Khare to be new CJI on Dec 19 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/justice-v-n-khare-to-be-new-cji-on-dec-19/articleshow/30886031.cms |access-date=10 April 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He was appointed Chief Standing Counsel for the [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]]. On 25 June 1983, he was appointed a Judge of the [[Allahabad High Court]]. In early 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of the [[Calcutta High Court]], from where he was elevated to the [[Supreme Court of India]] a year later.<ref name=":1" /> Over the course of his Supreme Court tenure, Khare authored 223 judgments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VN Khare |url=https://www.scobserver.in/judges/vn-khare/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Supreme Court Observer |language=en-US}}</ref>


===Emergency===
===Emergency===
{{Main|The Emergency (India)}}
{{Main|The Emergency (India)}}
{{see also|State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain}}
{{see also|State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain}}
As an Advocate in 1975, Khare and his uncle, S. C. Khare, represented [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Prime Minister of India]], in her famous case against [[Raj Narain]], alleging electoral malpractices. He was responsible for advocating the case that got the order of the High Court stayed until an appeal could be filed in the Supreme Court.<ref>[[Kuldip Nayar]] 1977. The judgment: Inside story of the emergency in India. Vikas Publishing House.</ref> The decision of the Supreme Court led to the imposition of [[Indian Emergency (1975 - 77)|Emergency in India]] for a period of 19 months, the only [[State of Emergency in India|suspension of democracy]] the country has seen since Independence in 1947.
As an Advocate in 1975, Khare and his uncle, S. C. Khare, represented [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Prime Minister of India]], in her famous case against [[Raj Narain]], alleging electoral malpractices. He was responsible for advocating the case that got the order of the High Court stayed until an appeal could be filed in the Supreme Court.<ref>[[Kuldip Nayar]] 1977. The judgment: Inside story of the emergency in India. Vikas Publishing House.</ref> The decision of the Supreme Court led to the imposition of [[Indian Emergency (1975 - 77)|Emergency in India]] for a period of 19 months, the only [[State of Emergency in India|suspension of democracy]] the country has seen since Independence in 1947.{{citation needed|date= September 2022}}


===Gujarat violence===
===Gujarat violence===
{{see also|2002 Gujarat violence}}
{{see also|2002 Gujarat violence}}
During his tenure as the Chief Justice of India, Khare was confronted with the failure of the justice system in the aftermath of the Gujarat violence following the [[Godhra train burning]]. His decision to reopen the [[Best Bakery Case]] provided some recourse for victims of the violence. Speaking to [[The Hindu]] newspaper when he retired<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050202680800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040624111642/http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050202680800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=National : I raised the image of judiciary: V.N. Khare|date=2004-05-02|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> he said, "I found there was complete collusion between the accused and the prosecution in Gujarat, throwing rule of law to the winds. The Supreme Court had to step in to break the collusion to ensure protection to the victims and the witnesses. I was anguished and pained by the turn of events during the trial of the riot cases but was determined to salvage the criminal justice delivery system."
During his tenure as the Chief Justice of India, Khare was confronted with the [[failure]] of the [[justice system]] in the aftermath of the Gujarat violence following the [[Godhra train burning]]. His decision to reopen the [[Best Bakery case]] provided some recourse for victims of the violence. Speaking to [[The Hindu]] newspaper when he retired<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050202680800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040624111642/http://www.hindu.com/2004/05/02/stories/2004050202680800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 June 2004|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=National : I raised the image of judiciary: V.N. Khare|date=2004-05-02|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> he said, "I found there was complete [[collusion]] between the accused and the [[Prosecutor|prosecution]] in [[Gujarat]], throwing [[rule of law]] to the winds. The Supreme Court had to step in to break the collusion to ensure protection to the victims and the witnesses. I was anguished and pained by the turn of events during the trial of the riot cases but was determined to salvage the criminal justice delivery system."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Era |first=Legal |date=2013-10-28 |title=“Judiciary is not corrupt, judges are corrupt” |url=https://www.legaleraonline.com/interviews/judiciary-is-not-corrupt-judges-are-corrupt |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=www.legaleraonline.com |language=en}}</ref>


In interviews to the media in 2004, Khare explained why he decided to transfer the [[Best Bakery case]] to [[Maharashtra]] for a retrial.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040503/asp/nation/story_3199474.asp|title=Khare vote for truth |work= The Telegraph |date=3 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="rediff">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/may/19inter.htm|title=As a judge, my job is to wipe tears |work= Rediff |date=19 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> In a 2012 interview, Khare gave details about the [[Best Bakery case]] and the [[Gulbarg Society massacre]] in explaining why he believed the [[2002 Gujarat Violence]] was an instance of a "state sponsored genocide".<ref name="HardNews">{{cite news|url=http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2012/02/4566 |title=I would have lodged an FIR against Narendra Modi on charges of genocide and manslaughter |work=HardNews |date=28 February 2012|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref>
In interviews to the media in 2004, Khare explained why he decided to transfer the Best Bakery case to [[Maharashtra]] for a retrial.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040503/asp/nation/story_3199474.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529073946/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040503/asp/nation/story_3199474.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2004|title=Khare vote for truth |work= The Telegraph |date=3 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="rediff">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/may/19inter.htm|title=As a judge, my job is to wipe tears |work= Rediff |date=19 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> In a 2012 interview, Khare gave details about the Best Bakery case and the [[Gulbarg Society massacre]] in explaining why he believed the [[2002 Gujarat Violence]] was an instance of a "[[State-sponsored terrorism|state sponsored]] [[genocide]]".<ref name="HardNews">{{cite news |url=http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2012/02/4566 |title=I would have lodged an FIR against Narendra Modi on charges of genocide and manslaughter |work=HardNews |date=28 February 2012 |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-date=31 May 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140531124724/http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2012/02/4566 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Post retirement==
==Post retirement==
Since retiring as Chief Justice of India, Khare comments occasionally on national television and press on issues of jurisprudence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=88403|title=Justice after Jessica Lall|work=The Indian Express|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> His comments on the [[Jessica Lal]] murder case echoed the sentiments expressed during the Gujarat riots. He is also appointed as the Chancellor of [[Central University of Jharkhand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cuj.ac.in/chancellor.php|title=Justice V.N.Khare|publisher=Cuj.ac.in|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>
Since retiring as Chief Justice of India, Khare comments occasionally on national television and press on issues of [[jurisprudence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/full_story.php?content_id=88403|title=Justice after Jessica Lall|work=The Indian Express|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> His comments on the [[Jessica Lal]] murder case echoed the sentiments expressed during the [[2002 Gujarat riots|Gujarat riots]]. He was also appointed the Chancellor of [[Central University of Jharkhand]] in 2017, serving until the end of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cuj.ac.in/chancellor.php|title=Justice V.N.Khare|publisher=Cuj.ac.in|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>


==Criticism==
==Criticism==
Khare's comments on there being an appearance of complicity between the state government and the rioters during the 2002 Gujarat violence have been criticized by [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name="Sify">{{cite news|url=http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/news/fullstory.php?id=13468685|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018230518/http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/news/fullstory.php?id=13468685|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=Modi on retired CJI Khare's comments |work= Sify |date=5 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Justice-Khares-remarks-irk-Gujarat-CM/articleshow/657204.cms|title=Justice Khare's remarks irk Gujarat CM |work= The Times of India |date=3 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> According to Modi:{{Quote|Judges should keep away from politics. Khare should know the difference between khare and khote (wrong and right). The state government was never a party to riots, nor was it a silent spectator. No commission of inquiry has indicted me. I am a victim of false propaganda by a section of the media.The million dollar question is why did Khare make the remark only after retiring from office? Regarding my role in the riots the people of Gujarat are the best judge and they have replied in a befitting manner.<ref name="Sify"/>}}
Khare's comments on there being an appearance of [[complicity]] between the [[gujarat state government|state government]] and the [[riot]]ers during the [[2002 Gujarat violence]] have been criticized by the prime minister of India, [[Narendra Modi]] (Then [[Chief Minister of Gujarat]]).<ref name="Sify">{{cite news|url=http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/news/fullstory.php?id=13468685|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018230518/http://www.sify.com/carnaticmusic/news/fullstory.php?id=13468685|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2016|title=Modi on retired CJI Khare's comments |work= Sify |date=5 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Justice-Khares-remarks-irk-Gujarat-CM/articleshow/657204.cms|title=Justice Khare's remarks irk Gujarat CM |work= The Times of India |date=3 May 2004|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> According to Modi:{{Blockquote|Judges should keep away from politics. Khare should know the difference between '''khare''' and khote ('''right''' and wrong). The state government was never a party to riots, nor was it a silent spectator. No commission of inquiry has indicted me. I am a victim of false propaganda by a section of the media. The million-dollar question is why did Khare make the remark only after retiring from office? Regarding my role in the riots, the people of Gujarat are the best judge and they have replied in a befitting manner.<ref name="Sify"/>}}


==Awards and honors==
==Awards and honors==
Khare was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]], India's second highest civilian honour in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/vnkhare.htm|title=V. N. Khare|publisher=Supremecourtofindia.nic.in|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>
[[File:The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Vibhushan to Justice Visheshwar Nath Khare at investiture ceremony, in New Delhi on March 29, 2006.jpg|thumb|The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Vibhushan to Justice Visheshwar Nath Khare at investiture ceremony, in New Delhi on March 29, 2006]]
Khare was awarded the [[Padma Vibhushan]], [[India|India's]] second highest civilian [[honour]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/vnkhare.htm|title=V. N. Khare|publisher=Supremecourtofindia.nic.in|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://legalera.in/interviews/item/10828-judiciary-is-not-corrupt-judges-are-corrupt-ex-cji-justice-khare LegalEra Magazine Interview]
*[http://legalera.in/interviews/item/10828-judiciary-is-not-corrupt-judges-are-corrupt-ex-cji-justice-khare LegalEra Magazine Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317051200/http://www.legalera.in/interviews/item/10828-judiciary-is-not-corrupt-judges-are-corrupt-ex-cji-justice-khare |date=17 March 2016 }}
*[http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/29slide6.htm Padma Vibhushan awarded to V N Khare - News item]
*[http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/29slide6.htm Padma Vibhushan awarded to V N Khare - News item]


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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chancellors of the Central University of Jharkhand]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in public affairs]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in public affairs]]
[[Category:Scholars from Allahabad]]
[[Category:Scholars from Allahabad]]
[[Category:Chief Justices of India]]
[[Category:Chief justices of India]]
[[Category:University of Allahabad alumni]]
[[Category:University of Allahabad alumni]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Judges of the Allahabad High Court]]
[[Category:Judges of the Allahabad High Court]]
[[Category:Chief Justices of the Calcutta High Court]]
[[Category:Chief justices of the Calcutta High Court]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian judges]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian judges]]

Latest revision as of 07:50, 20 March 2026


Vishweshwar Nath Khare
Hon'ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.)
alt
Chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand
In office
August 2017 – December 2023
Appointed byRam Nath Kovind
33rd Chief Justice of India
In office
19 December 2002 – 01 May 2004
Appointed byA. P. J. Kalam
Preceded byGopal Ballav Pattanaik
Succeeded byS. Rajendra Babu
Judge of Supreme Court of India
In office
21 March 1997 – 18 December 2002
Nominated byA. M. Ahmadi
Appointed byShankar Dayal Sharma
29th Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
In office
2 February 1996 – 20 March 1997
Nominated byA. M. Ahmadi
Appointed byShankar Dayal Sharma
Preceded byKrishna Chandra Agarwal
Succeeded byPrabha Shankar Mishra
Judge of Allahabad High Court
In office
25 June 1983 – 1 February 1996
Nominated byY. V. Chandrachud
Appointed byZail Singh
Personal details
Born (1939-05-02) 2 May 1939 (age 87)
Allahabad, United Provinces, British India (Present day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India)
CitizenshipIndia
NationalityIndian
Children2
ResidenceAllahabad
Alma materAllahabad University

Vishweshwar Nath Khare is a retired Indian judge who served as the 33rd Chief Justice of India, from 19 December 2002 to 1 May 2004. He also served as the Chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand from 2017 to 2023.[1] He was a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 21 March 1997 before he was elevated to the post of Chief Justice.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Khare was born in Allahabad in a Kayastha family on 2 May 1939.[2] He attended St. Joseph's College, Allahabad[3] and later the Allahabad University.[3] Khare was a First Class cricketer, playing for the state of Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy matches in 1958.[citation needed]

Legal career[edit | edit source]

Khare started his career as an advocate in the Allahabad High Court in 1961, where he practiced on civil, writ and revenue petitions.[4] He was appointed Chief Standing Counsel for the Government of Uttar Pradesh. On 25 June 1983, he was appointed a Judge of the Allahabad High Court. In early 1996, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, from where he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India a year later.[4] Over the course of his Supreme Court tenure, Khare authored 223 judgments.[5]

Emergency[edit | edit source]

Main article: The Emergency (India)
See also: State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain

As an Advocate in 1975, Khare and his uncle, S. C. Khare, represented Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, in her famous case against Raj Narain, alleging electoral malpractices. He was responsible for advocating the case that got the order of the High Court stayed until an appeal could be filed in the Supreme Court.[6] The decision of the Supreme Court led to the imposition of Emergency in India for a period of 19 months, the only suspension of democracy the country has seen since Independence in 1947.[citation needed]

Gujarat violence[edit | edit source]

See also: 2002 Gujarat violence

During his tenure as the Chief Justice of India, Khare was confronted with the failure of the justice system in the aftermath of the Gujarat violence following the Godhra train burning. His decision to reopen the Best Bakery case provided some recourse for victims of the violence. Speaking to The Hindu newspaper when he retired[7] he said, "I found there was complete collusion between the accused and the prosecution in Gujarat, throwing rule of law to the winds. The Supreme Court had to step in to break the collusion to ensure protection to the victims and the witnesses. I was anguished and pained by the turn of events during the trial of the riot cases but was determined to salvage the criminal justice delivery system."[8]

In interviews to the media in 2004, Khare explained why he decided to transfer the Best Bakery case to Maharashtra for a retrial.[9][10] In a 2012 interview, Khare gave details about the Best Bakery case and the Gulbarg Society massacre in explaining why he believed the 2002 Gujarat Violence was an instance of a "state sponsored genocide".[11]

Post retirement[edit | edit source]

Since retiring as Chief Justice of India, Khare comments occasionally on national television and press on issues of jurisprudence.[12] His comments on the Jessica Lal murder case echoed the sentiments expressed during the Gujarat riots. He was also appointed the Chancellor of Central University of Jharkhand in 2017, serving until the end of 2023.[13]

Criticism[edit | edit source]

Khare's comments on there being an appearance of complicity between the state government and the rioters during the 2002 Gujarat violence have been criticized by the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi (Then Chief Minister of Gujarat).[14][15] According to Modi:

Judges should keep away from politics. Khare should know the difference between khare and khote (right and wrong). The state government was never a party to riots, nor was it a silent spectator. No commission of inquiry has indicted me. I am a victim of false propaganda by a section of the media. The million-dollar question is why did Khare make the remark only after retiring from office? Regarding my role in the riots, the people of Gujarat are the best judge and they have replied in a befitting manner.[14]

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Vibhushan to Justice Visheshwar Nath Khare at investiture ceremony, in New Delhi on March 29, 2006

Khare was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour in 2006.[16]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "The Central University of Jharkhand". cuj.ac.in. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Hon'ble Mr. Justice V.N. Khare". nalsa.gov.in. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Justice Khare a great role model". Hindustan Times. 28 January 2006. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Justice V N Khare to be new CJI on Dec 19". The Times of India. 10 December 2002. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "VN Khare". Supreme Court Observer. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  6. ↑ Kuldip Nayar 1977. The judgment: Inside story of the emergency in India. Vikas Publishing House.
  7. ↑ "National : I raised the image of judiciary: V.N. Khare". The Hindu. 2 May 2004. Archived from the original on 24 June 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Era, Legal (28 October 2013). ""Judiciary is not corrupt, judges are corrupt"". www.legaleraonline.com. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Khare vote for truth". The Telegraph. 3 May 2004. Archived from the original on 29 May 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "As a judge, my job is to wipe tears". Rediff. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  11. ↑ "I would have lodged an FIR against Narendra Modi on charges of genocide and manslaughter". HardNews. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ "Justice after Jessica Lall". The Indian Express. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Justice V.N.Khare". Cuj.ac.in. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Modi on retired CJI Khare's comments". Sify. 5 May 2004. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Justice Khare's remarks irk Gujarat CM". The Times of India. 3 May 2004. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "V. N. Khare". Supremecourtofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 6 October 2014.

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