CSD
Judge and Social Activist

Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari

Born 16 November 1894 · Maharashtra — Died 3 January 2019

Acted as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and authored books in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati.

Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari was an Indian judge, independence activist, lawyer, author. He was acting chief justice of Bombay High Court. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2003. He authored many books in the Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Despite his high judicial office, Dharmadhikari was imprisoned multiple times in his youth during the Quit India Movement, highlighting a rare blend of activism and legal authority.

The Story

1
🌱 In 1935, young Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari moved to Wardha and joined Nav Bharat Vidyalaya, a school influenced directly by Mahatma Gandhi’s educational principles, immersing him early in the freedom struggle environment.
2
✊ At the age of 14, in 1942, Dharmadhikari actively participated in the Quit India Movement, despite the constant imprisonment of his parents, marking his early commitment as a recognized freedom fighter by the Maharashtra government.
3🎓 By 1959, Dharmadhikari had enrolled as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India, after earlier registrations at Nagpur and Bombay High Courts, illustrating his rapid legal ascent post-independence.
4⚖️ In 1972, he was appointed an Additional Judge at the Bombay High Court and later served as acting Chief Justice, where his landmark judgments during the Emergency (1975–77) famously upheld the natural human right to life beyond constitutional guarantees.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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As a child, Dharmadhikari and his friends formed a club called Ghanchakkar Samaj in Wardha, named by his father, reflecting a unique childhood immersed in freedom struggle ideals.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Maharashtra to freedom fighter parents
Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari was born to Damayanti and Acharya Dada Dharmadhikari, parents deeply involved in India’s independence movement.
1927
📚
Education
Joined Nav Bharat Vidyalaya, Wardha
He enrolled in a school under Mahatma Gandhi’s influence, shaping his early education and values.
1935
🌟
Other
Participated in Quit India Movement
At age 14, Dharmadhikari took part in the Quit India Movement despite his parents’ imprisonment during this period.
1942
⚡
Career
Enrolled as Supreme Court Advocate
He enrolled at the Supreme Court of India, marking a key milestone in his legal career.
1959
⚡
Career
Appointed Additional Judge, Bombay High Court
Dharmadhikari began serving as a judge, later becoming acting Chief Justice during his tenure.
1972
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Career
Retired from Bombay High Court
He retired after 17 years as judge, leaving a legacy of landmark judgments on human rights.
1989
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Career
Chairman, Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal
Led the state tribunal overseeing civil service disputes until November 1992.
1991
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan Award
Awarded India’s third highest civilian honor recognizing his contributions to law and social reform.
2003
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Nagpur
Dharmadhikari died at age 91, closing a chapter on a life bridging activism, judiciary, and writing.
2019
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During the Emergency, Dharmadhikari ruled that the Right to Life was a natural human right beyond constitutional provisions, a rare judicial stance defying authoritarian pressures in 1975–77 India.

02 / 05
👤PERSONAL

His mother was imprisoned for about three years during the Quit India Movement, demonstrating the family’s profound sacrifices for India’s independence.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Dharmadhikari was appointed Government Pleader of the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench from 1965 to 1972, a crucial period before his judgeship appointment in 1972.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Dharmadhikari’s judgments during the Emergency reinforced the concept of natural rights in Indian law, influencing subsequent human rights jurisprudence. His leadership in the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal shaped civil service dispute resolution, and his involvement with the Sarvodaya movement helped sustain Gandhian social reform ideals in post-independence India. His multilingual writings contributed to legal and social thought across Maharashtra and beyond.

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