Who Was The First Chief Justice Of India?

The first Chief Justice of India, Sir Harilal Jekisundas Kania, was appointed to the position on January 26, 1950, the day the Indian Constitution came into effect. In the history of the Indian judiciary, the position of the Chief Justice of India holds immense importance. The first Chief Justice of India played an important role in finalising the legal framework of the country and in establishing the judicial system. Let us get to know more about the first Chief Justice of India.

First Chief Justice of India And His Contribution

Sir Harilal Kania was born on November 3, 1890, in Mumbai, India. He pursued his higher education at the University of Bombay, where he excelled in academic studies and displayed a keen interest in law. After completing his legal education, Kania set out on a successful legal career, taking on various roles within the legal community.

Career Milestones

• For a brief period, Kania also served as acting editor of the Indian Law Reports.
• Sir Harilal Kania was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 1931, where he gained recognition for his impartiality and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
• In 1943, Sir Kania was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India, which later became the Supreme Court of India.
• Following India’s independence in 1947, Kania was appointed as the first Chief Justice of India, a position he held with dignity and honour until his retirement in 1951.

As the first Chief Justice of India, Sir Harilal Kania also helped in setting up the Supreme Court of India and laying down the groundwork for the functioning of the judicial system. Kania’s judgements and legal opinions were highly regarded for their clarity, fairness and adherence to legal principles. 

In recognition of his contributions to the legal field, Kania was awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in 1954.

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