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{{Short description|Indian judge (born 1949)}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} | {{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| name | | name = Ranjana Desai | ||
| image | | image = Ranjana Prakash Desai.jpg | ||
| imagesize | | imagesize = | ||
| caption | | caption = | ||
| office | | office = Judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] | ||
| termstart | | termstart = 13 September 2011 | ||
| termend | | termend = 29 October 2014 | ||
| office2 = Judge of the [[Bombay High Court]] | |||
| termstart2 = 1996 | |||
| termend2 = 2011 | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1949|10|30}} | |||
| office2 | | birth_place = | ||
| termstart2 | | death_date = | ||
| termend2 | | death_place = | ||
| spouse = Prakash Desai | |||
| birth_date | |||
| birth_place | |||
| death_date | |||
| death_place | |||
| spouse | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Ranjana Prakash Desai''' (born 30 October 1949) is a former judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] and the head of the [[Delimitation Commission of India]]. She was previously a public prosecutor for the State of Maharashtra, and served as a judge on the Bombay High Court before her appointment to the Supreme Court. Following her retirement from the Supreme Court, Desai was the chairperson of the Indian [[Appellate Tribunal for Electricity]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Election Commission of India|date=11 May 2020|title=Hon'ble Justice Smt Ranjana Prakash Desai has taken over the charge of Chairperson Delimitation Commission|url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/12021-honble-justice-smt-ranjana-prakash-desai-has-taken-over-the-charge-of-chairperson-delimitation-commission/|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> | |||
== Early | == Early life and education == | ||
Desai's father was the criminal lawyer | Desai's father was the criminal lawyer S. G. Samant. She completed her [[Bachelor of Arts]] from the [[Elphinstone College]] in 1970 and [[Bachelor of Laws]] from the [[Government Law College, Mumbai|Government Law College]], Bombay in 1973.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Appellate Tribunal For Electricity|url=http://aptel.gov.in/members/Ranjana%20P%20Desai.html|access-date=2017-09-14|website=aptel.gov.in}}</ref> | ||
== Career == | == Career == | ||
Desai enrolled as an advocate on 30 July 1973, and began practicing law, working in the chambers of S.C. Pratap before he was appointed as judge in the Bombay High Court, as well as with her father, S.G. Samant, who practiced criminal law.<ref name=":1" /> In 1979, Desai began working as an Assistant Government Pleader in the Bombay High Court, appearing for the Government of Maharashtra, and in 1983, was appointed as an Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor for the State of Maharashtra.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=High Court of Judicature at Bombay|title=Justice R.P. Desai|url=https://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/jshowpuisne.php?bhcpar=amdldGlkPTM1NSZwYWdlbm89MTg=|access-date=12 July 2020}}</ref> In 1986, Desai was appointed as the State of Maharashtra's Special Public Prosecutor in cases concerning [[preventive detention]].<ref name=":2" /> In 1995, she began appearing for the Government of Maharashtra as a government pleader in appeals at the Bombay High Court.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
Desai enrolled as an advocate on 30 July 1973, and began practicing law, working in the chambers of | |||
=== High Court of Bombay === | |||
Desai was initially appointed as an additional judge at the [[Bombay High Court]] on 15 April 1996 for a period of two years, and was confirmed as a permanent judge on 12 April 1998. She continued to serve as a judge on the Bombay High Court until she was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011.<ref name=":2" /> | Desai was initially appointed as an additional judge at the [[Bombay High Court]] on 15 April 1996 for a period of two years, and was confirmed as a permanent judge on 12 April 1998. She continued to serve as a judge on the Bombay High Court until she was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
=== | === Supreme Court of India === | ||
On 13 September 2011, Desai was appointed as a judge at the Supreme Court of India and served in that capacity until 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/70a1ganiktjcmCZI61tX3M/Justice-Ranjana-Prakash-Desai-takes-over-as-Aptel-chairperso.html|title=Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai takes over as Aptel chairperson|last=Apoorva|date=2014-12-01|work=www.livemint.com/|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> She was the fifth woman to be appointed as an Indian Supreme Court judge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-09-10|title=City Brief|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/city-brief-13/|access-date=2020-07-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | On 13 September 2011, Desai was appointed as a judge at the Supreme Court of India and served in that capacity until 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/70a1ganiktjcmCZI61tX3M/Justice-Ranjana-Prakash-Desai-takes-over-as-Aptel-chairperso.html|title=Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai takes over as Aptel chairperson|last=Apoorva|date=2014-12-01|work=www.livemint.com/|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> She was the fifth woman to be appointed as an Indian Supreme Court judge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-09-10|title=City Brief|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/city-brief-13/|access-date=2020-07-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | ||
=== | === Electricity Appellate Tribunal === | ||
Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on 1 December 2014 in [[New Delhi]] and continued to serve in that capacity until 29 October 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on December 1, 2014 in New Delhi. - Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/Former-Supreme-Court-Judge-Justice-Ranjana-Desai-took-charge-as-chairperson-of-Appellate-Tribunal-for-Electricity-on-December-1-2014-in-New-Delhi-/articleshow/45413280.cms?|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> | Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on 1 December 2014 in [[New Delhi]] and continued to serve in that capacity until 29 October 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on December 1, 2014 in New Delhi. - Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/Former-Supreme-Court-Judge-Justice-Ranjana-Desai-took-charge-as-chairperson-of-Appellate-Tribunal-for-Electricity-on-December-1-2014-in-New-Delhi-/articleshow/45413280.cms?|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref> | ||
=== | === Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax] === | ||
Desai was appointed as Chairperson of the Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax] in 2018 and held the position until 29 October 2019.<ref name=":0" /> | Desai was appointed as Chairperson of the Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax] in 2018 and held the position until 29 October 2019.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Lokpal | === Lokpal appointment committee === | ||
On 28 September 2018, the Government of India constituted a | On 28 September 2018, the Government of India constituted a search committee of eight, chaired by Desai, under the [[The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013|Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013]], to search for and recommend a chairperson and members for India's anti-corruption ombudsman agency, the [[Lokpal]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-28|title=Centre forms eight-member Lokpal {{sic|Com|mitee|nolink=y}} headed by Justice Ranjana Desai; Arundhati Bhattacharya, ISRO chief among members|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/centre-forms-eight-member-lokpal-{{sic|com|mitee|hide=y}}-headed-by-justice-ranjana-desai-arundhati-bhattacharya-isro-chief-among-members-5279141.html|access-date=2020-07-12|website=Firstpost}}</ref> The Committee provided its recommendations to the Selection Committee on 28 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=IANS|date=2019-03-07|title=When will Selection Committee meet to select Lokpal, asks SC|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/when-will-selection-committee-meet-to-select-lokpal-asks-sc|access-date=2020-07-12|website=TheQuint|language=en}}</ref> | ||
=== Delimitation Commission of India === | === Delimitation Commission of India === | ||
Desai was appointed as the | |||
Desai was appointed as the chairperson of the Delimitation Commission of India on 13 March 2020.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
=== Uniform civil code committee === | |||
Desai was appointed as the Head of the [[Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand|Uttarakhand UCC committee]] on 28 May 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/uttarakhand-government-forms-expert-committee-examine-implement-uniform-civil-code-200324 | title=Uttarakhand Government Forms Expert Committee to Examine & Implement Uniform Civil Code in State | date=28 May 2022 }}</ref> | |||
=== Press Council of India === | |||
Desai was appointed as the chairperson of the [[Press Council of India]]. Her term started on 17 June 2022.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} | |||
=== 8th Central Pay Commission === | |||
Desai was appointed as the Chairperson of the [https://www.staffnews.in/category/8th-pay-commission 8th Central Pay Commission] on 28 October 2025. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-28 |title=8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) - Constituted in Chairmanship of Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India {{!}} StaffNews |url=https://www.staffnews.in/2025/10/8th-central-pay-commission-8th-cpc-constituted.html |access-date=2025-10-28 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Jurisprudence == | == Jurisprudence == | ||
On 8 May 2012, the Supreme Court bench composed of Ranjana Desai and [[Altamas Kabir]] ordered the government to end the Haj subsidy by 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/trXuDTfMqI7qMUip3wNd7H/SC-strikes-down-Haj-subsidy.html|title=SC strikes down Haj subsidy - Livemint|website=www.livemint.com|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/supreme-court-disapproves-haj-subsidy-to-be-eliminated-within-10-years/articleshow/13047870.cms?from=mdr|title=Supreme Court disapproves Haj subsidy, to be eliminated within 10 years|date=2012-05-08|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref> On 27 September 2013, in a [[landmark decision | On 8 May 2012, the Supreme Court bench composed of Ranjana Desai and [[Altamas Kabir]] ordered the government to end the Haj subsidy by 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/trXuDTfMqI7qMUip3wNd7H/SC-strikes-down-Haj-subsidy.html|title=SC strikes down Haj subsidy - Livemint|website=www.livemint.com|date=8 May 2012 |access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/supreme-court-disapproves-haj-subsidy-to-be-eliminated-within-10-years/articleshow/13047870.cms?from=mdr|title=Supreme Court disapproves Haj subsidy, to be eliminated within 10 years|date=2012-05-08|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref> On 27 September 2013, in a [[landmark decision]], a three-judge bench consisting of the Chief Justice [[P. Sathasivam]] and Justices Desai and [[Ranjan Gogoi]] ruled that the right to register a "none of the above" vote in elections should apply. The court said that negative voting would lead to systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Highlights-of-SC-judgement-giving-voter-the-right-to-reject-all-candidates/articleshow/23155676.cms|title=Highlights of SC judgement giving voter the right to reject all candidates - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref> The Election Commission said that the judgement will be implemented immediately.<ref name="Will implement voters' right to reject candidates straight away: Election Commission">{{cite news |publisher=Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Will-implement-voters-right-to-reject-candidates-straight-away-Election-Commission/articleshow/23169193.cms |title=Will implement voters' right to reject candidates straight away: Election Commission |first=Bharti |last=Jain |date=27 September 2013 |access-date=2013-09-27}}</ref><ref name="Voters have right to reject, says Supreme Court">{{cite news |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=27 September 2013 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/MyIndia-MyVote/Chunk-HT-UI-MyIndiaMyVote-TopStories/Voters-have-right-to-reject-poll-panel-must-give-them-option-says-Supreme-Court/SP-Article10-1127779.aspx |title=Voters have right to reject, poll panel must give them option, says Supreme Court |access-date=2013-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927071428/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/MyIndia-MyVote/Chunk-HT-UI-MyIndiaMyVote-TopStories/Voters-have-right-to-reject-poll-panel-must-give-them-option-says-Supreme-Court/SP-Article10-1127779.aspx |archive-date=27 September 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 66: | Line 73: | ||
[[Category:1949 births]] | [[Category:1949 births]] | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian judges]] | |||
[[Category:20th-century Indian women judges]] | |||
[[Category:21st-century Indian judges]] | |||
[[Category:21st-century Indian women judges]] | |||
[[Category:Judges of the Bombay High Court]] | [[Category:Judges of the Bombay High Court]] | ||
[[Category:Justices of the Supreme Court of India]] | [[Category:Justices of the Supreme Court of India]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:29, 28 October 2025
Ranjana Desai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the Supreme Court of India | |
| In office 13 September 2011 – 29 October 2014 | |
| Judge of the Bombay High Court | |
| In office 1996–2011 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 October 1949 |
| Spouse(s) | Prakash Desai |
Ranjana Prakash Desai (born 30 October 1949) is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and the head of the Delimitation Commission of India. She was previously a public prosecutor for the State of Maharashtra, and served as a judge on the Bombay High Court before her appointment to the Supreme Court. Following her retirement from the Supreme Court, Desai was the chairperson of the Indian Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.[1]
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Desai's father was the criminal lawyer S. G. Samant. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from the Elphinstone College in 1970 and Bachelor of Laws from the Government Law College, Bombay in 1973.[2]
Career[edit | edit source]
Desai enrolled as an advocate on 30 July 1973, and began practicing law, working in the chambers of S.C. Pratap before he was appointed as judge in the Bombay High Court, as well as with her father, S.G. Samant, who practiced criminal law.[2] In 1979, Desai began working as an Assistant Government Pleader in the Bombay High Court, appearing for the Government of Maharashtra, and in 1983, was appointed as an Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor for the State of Maharashtra.[3] In 1986, Desai was appointed as the State of Maharashtra's Special Public Prosecutor in cases concerning preventive detention.[3] In 1995, she began appearing for the Government of Maharashtra as a government pleader in appeals at the Bombay High Court.[2]
High Court of Bombay[edit | edit source]
Desai was initially appointed as an additional judge at the Bombay High Court on 15 April 1996 for a period of two years, and was confirmed as a permanent judge on 12 April 1998. She continued to serve as a judge on the Bombay High Court until she was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2011.[3]
Supreme Court of India[edit | edit source]
On 13 September 2011, Desai was appointed as a judge at the Supreme Court of India and served in that capacity until 2014.[4] She was the fifth woman to be appointed as an Indian Supreme Court judge.[5]
Electricity Appellate Tribunal[edit | edit source]
Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on 1 December 2014 in New Delhi and continued to serve in that capacity until 29 October 2019.[6]
Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax][edit | edit source]
Desai was appointed as Chairperson of the Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax] in 2018 and held the position until 29 October 2019.[1]
Lokpal appointment committee[edit | edit source]
On 28 September 2018, the Government of India constituted a search committee of eight, chaired by Desai, under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, to search for and recommend a chairperson and members for India's anti-corruption ombudsman agency, the Lokpal.[7] The Committee provided its recommendations to the Selection Committee on 28 February 2020.[8]
Delimitation Commission of India[edit | edit source]
Desai was appointed as the chairperson of the Delimitation Commission of India on 13 March 2020.[1]
Uniform civil code committee[edit | edit source]
Desai was appointed as the Head of the Uttarakhand UCC committee on 28 May 2022.[9]
Press Council of India[edit | edit source]
Desai was appointed as the chairperson of the Press Council of India. Her term started on 17 June 2022.[citation needed]
8th Central Pay Commission[edit | edit source]
Desai was appointed as the Chairperson of the 8th Central Pay Commission on 28 October 2025. [10]
Jurisprudence[edit | edit source]
On 8 May 2012, the Supreme Court bench composed of Ranjana Desai and Altamas Kabir ordered the government to end the Haj subsidy by 2022.[11][12] On 27 September 2013, in a landmark decision, a three-judge bench consisting of the Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justices Desai and Ranjan Gogoi ruled that the right to register a "none of the above" vote in elections should apply. The court said that negative voting would lead to systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates.[13] The Election Commission said that the judgement will be implemented immediately.[14][15]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Election Commission of India (11 May 2020). "Hon'ble Justice Smt Ranjana Prakash Desai has taken over the charge of Chairperson Delimitation Commission". Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Appellate Tribunal For Electricity". aptel.gov.in. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 High Court of Judicature at Bombay. "Justice R.P. Desai". Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ↑ Apoorva (1 December 2014). "Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai takes over as Aptel chairperson". www.livemint.com/. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ↑ "City Brief". The Indian Express. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ↑ "Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Desai took charge as chairperson of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on December 1, 2014 in New Delhi. - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ↑ "Centre forms eight-member Lokpal Commitee [sic] headed by Justice Ranjana Desai; Arundhati Bhattacharya, ISRO chief among members". Firstpost. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ↑ IANS (7 March 2019). "When will Selection Committee meet to select Lokpal, asks SC". TheQuint. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ↑ "Uttarakhand Government Forms Expert Committee to Examine & Implement Uniform Civil Code in State". 28 May 2022.
- ↑ "8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC) - Constituted in Chairmanship of Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India | StaffNews". 28 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ↑ "SC strikes down Haj subsidy - Livemint". www.livemint.com. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ "Supreme Court disapproves Haj subsidy, to be eliminated within 10 years". The Economic Times. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ "Highlights of SC judgement giving voter the right to reject all candidates - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ↑ Jain, Bharti (27 September 2013). "Will implement voters' right to reject candidates straight away: Election Commission". Times of India. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ↑ "Voters have right to reject, poll panel must give them option, says Supreme Court". Hindustan Times. 27 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.