VNK
Jurist

V. N. Khare

Born 28 July 1934 · Uttar Pradesh

Serving as the 33rd Chief Justice of India from 2002 to 2004.

Vishweshwar Nath Khare is a retired Indian judge who served as the 33rd Chief Justice of India, from 19 December 2002 to 1 May 2004. He also served as the Chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand from 2017 to 2023. He was a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 21 March 1997 before he was elevated to the post of Chief Justice.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

V. N. Khare played for Uttar Pradesh in the 1958 Ranji Trophy before embarking on his legal career.

The Story

1
⚖️ In 1961, V. N. Khare enrolled as an advocate at the Allahabad High Court, initially focusing on civil, writ, and revenue petitions which laid the foundation for his judicial expertise.
2
🎓 Born in Allahabad in 1939, Khare was not only a law student at Allahabad University but also represented Uttar Pradesh in the 1958 Ranji Trophy cricket matches, blending sports and law early in life.
3In 1975, as a young advocate, Khare played a critical role in the legal defense of Indira Gandhi during the electoral malpractices case against Raj Narain, a case pivotal to the declaration of the Emergency in India.
4⚖️ On 25 June 1983, Khare was appointed a judge at the Allahabad High Court after serving as Chief Standing Counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government, marking his transition from advocacy to the judiciary.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1975, Khare was part of the legal team defending Indira Gandhi in a case that led to the only Emergency imposed in India since 1947, highlighting his early involvement in a landmark political-legal event.

📸 Through the Years

📷

No photos yet

Help preserve history — add a photo of this icon

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Vishweshwar Nath Khare was born into a Kayastha family in Allahabad, marking the start of a future legal luminary.
1939
🌟
Other
Played Ranji Trophy cricket for Uttar Pradesh
Khare represented Uttar Pradesh in the prestigious Ranji Trophy cricket tournament, showcasing his dual talents in sports and academics.
1958
⚡
Career
Enrolled as Advocate at Allahabad High Court
Khare began his legal career focusing on civil, writ, and revenue cases, setting the stage for his judicial ascent.
1961
⚡
Career
Defended Indira Gandhi in Raj Narain case
Khare, alongside his uncle, advocated in the case that triggered the Emergency, a defining moment in Indian legal-political history.
1975
⚡
Career
Appointed Judge of Allahabad High Court
After serving as Chief Standing Counsel, Khare was elevated to the judiciary, formalizing his role as a judge.
1983
⚡
Career
Became Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
Khare was appointed Chief Justice, a precursor to his Supreme Court tenure.
1996
⚡
Career
Elevated to Supreme Court Judge
Khare joined India’s highest court, where he would author over 200 judgments.
1997
⚡
Career
Appointed 33rd Chief Justice of India
Khare took office as Chief Justice, overseeing high-profile cases including those related to Gujarat violence.
2002
⚡
Career
Retired as Chief Justice of India
Concluded his judicial career after impactful rulings and reforms.
2004
⚡
Career
Became Chancellor of Central University of Jharkhand
Khare served as Chancellor until 2023, influencing legal education governance post-retirement.
2017
More moments to come...
+ Add a moment

🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Khare authored 223 judgments during his tenure at the Supreme Court, reflecting his prolific judicial output between 1997 and 2004.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He represented Uttar Pradesh in the 1958 Ranji Trophy, an uncommon background for a future Chief Justice, blending sports at a high level with a legal career.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Khare’s decision to transfer the Best Bakery case to Maharashtra in 2003 was a rare judicial move to counter local collusion and ensure justice for victims of communal violence.

“

"I found there was complete collusion between the accused and the prosecution in Gujarat, throwing rule of law to the winds. The Supreme Court had to step in to break the collusion to ensure protection to the victims and the witnesses."

— V. N. Khare

🌱 What changed because of them

Khare’s reopening of the Best Bakery case set a precedent for judicial intervention in politically sensitive violence cases, reinforcing the Supreme Court's role in protecting victims against state collusion. His judgments and leadership during and after the Gujarat riots reshaped public discourse on justice and the rule of law in India. As Chancellor of the Central University of Jharkhand, he influenced higher education governance with his legal acumen.

💬 Social Buzz

💬

What are people saying about V. N. Khare?

Share posts from historians, journalists and notable voices about this icon. 🇮🇳

💭 Memories & Tributes

Share your memory of V. N. Khare...
Loading memories...
Is this profile accurate?