CJI pays tribute to Justice Krishna Iyer

Jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer dedicated his life to upholding the values of social justice, human rights, and the empowerment of marginalised sections of society, recalled Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai.

Delivering the Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Memorial Law Lecture on his role in balancing fundamental rights and the directive principles of State policy, Mr. Gavai said the jurist was guided by a judicial philosophy marked by deep compassion and a strong commitment to social justice. He struck a harmony between fundamental rights and directive principles, which were enshrined in the Constitution, Mr. Gavai added.

Mr. Iyer would be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the poor and underprivileged sections of society.

The jurist played a key role in developing judicial activism through Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and consistently stood for affirmative action. He also upheld the rights of prisoners and ensured they were treated with dignity and compassion, said Mr. Gavai.

In his address, Nitin Jamdar, Chief Justice, Kerala High Court, remembered Mr. Iyer as the voice of the voiceless. He said Mr. Iyer had excelled as a lawyer, jurist, Minister, and social reformer, and was also a crusader for civil liberties.

Devan Ramachandran, Judge, Kerala High Court, said that Mr. Iyer democratised judicial remedies and gave birth to the concepts of PIL and epistolary jurisdiction. He exemplified devotion to human rights, drawing on international covenants and weaving them into Indian jurisprudence through hermeneutic humanism.

K. Balakrishnan Nair and Sananad Ramakrishnan, president and secretary of the Sarada Krishna Satgamaya Foundation for Law and Justice, which organised the event, also spoke.