S. M. Sikri
Sarv Mittra Sikri (26 April 1908 – 24 September 1992) was an Indian advocate and judge who served as the 13th Chief Justice of India, from 22 January 1971 until his retirement on 25 April 1973.[1] He previously served as the first Advocate General for Punjab before becoming the first of nine Judges of the Supreme Court of India to have been appointed directly from the Bar, and also the first of only two to be CJI, directly from the Bar.[2]
Hon'ble Justice S.M. Sikri | |
---|---|
![]() | |
13th Chief Justice of India | |
In office 22 January 1971 – 25 April 1973 | |
Appointed by | V. V. Giri |
Preceded by | Jayantilal Chhotalal Shah |
Succeeded by | Ajit Nath Ray |
Judge of the Supreme Court of India | |
In office 3 February 1964 – 25 April 1973 | |
Nominated by | P. B. Gajendragadkar |
Appointed by | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
Advocate General for Punjab | |
In office 1 November 1956 – 2 February 1964 | |
Appointed by | Chandeshwar Prasad Narayan Singh |
Preceded by | office established |
Succeeded by | S.K. Kapur |
Personal details | |
Born | Kabirwala, Punjab | 26 April 1908
Died | 24 September 1992 84) | (aged
Nationality | Indian |
Biography
Sikri was born in Lahore on 26 April 1908.[3] He moved to London to study medicine, but switched to law, studying at Trinity College, Cambridge.[1] Before returning to Lahore in 1930, he served as a barrister-at-law at Lincoln's Inn, in London.
He began his legal practise in the chambers of Jagannath Agarwal, who was a leading advocate in the Lahore High Court and practiced criminal and civil law. Following independence, he was appointed the Assistant Advocate General of Punjab in 1949 and soon as the advocate general in 1951. Held the same position almost entirely until his elevation as a judge of the Supreme Court of India in 1964.[4]
As an advocate, he appeared and practised in various courts, ranging from the Lahore High Court and other courts in Punjab to the Federal Court of India and eventually the Supreme Court of India.[5]
Notable judgements
I.C. Golaknath and Ors. vs State of Punjab and Anrs. had him a part of the thin majority of 6:5, in which the court reversed its earlier decision which had upheld Parliament's power to amend all parts of the Constitution, including Part III related to Fundamental Rights. The judgement left Parliament with no power to curtail Fundamental Rights.[4]
References
- "Sarv Mittra Sikri". Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- "CJI NV Ramana recommends Justice UU Lalit's name to Centre as the 49th Chief Justice of India". Firstpost. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- "Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.M. Sikri". Supreme Court of India. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- "Full Court Reference". Supreme Court of India.
- "S.M. Sikri". SCO.