Eminent Gandhian and legal luminary Justice CS Dharmadhikari dies after brief illness

Retired Justice Chandrashekhar Shankar Dharmadhikari, who delivered a landmark verdict during the Emergency on human rights, died on Thursday at a private hospital following a brief illness.

Justice Dharmadhikari, 91, was also an eminent Gandhian, freedom-fighter, legal luminary and social activist. He is survived by his medico daughter Aruna Patil and two sons -- Justice SC Dharmadhikari of Bombay High Court and lawyer Ashutosh -- family sources said.

Born in Raipur, Madhya Pradesh, his last rites shall be performed at the Ambazari Ghat crematorium later on Thursday.

A recipient of many awards, including Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, Justice Dharmadhikari was appointed a judge in Bombay High Court in July 1972. He served as Acting Chief Justice, and retired in November 1989.

In his landmark ruling during the Emergency, Justice Dharmadhikari had held that apart from constitutional rights, the Right to Life is natural and a human right, and therefore, even during the Emergency, a citizen could approach the high court.

Accordingly, he entertained petitions and ordered the release of those against whom there was no material (evidence).

Post-retirement, he was the Chairman of Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (1991-1992) and later a committee headed by him in 2014 had recommended a complete ban on dance bars in hotels/restaurants and 'curbs on social media' since they had a 'corrupting influence', in order to reduce crimes against women.

Hailing from a family of staunch Gandhians who are largely into the legal profession, Justice Dharmadhikari also served as Chairman of Educational Regulatory Authority, on the Maharashtra State Women's Commission and National Commission for Women, besides penning books in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati.

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao expressed grief over his demise and said the state has lost a staunch Gandhian and humanist.

"Coming from the family of freedom fighters, Justice Dharmadhikari had imbibed Gandhian values right from his childhood. He distinguished himself as one of the finest judges of the Bombay High Court who was associated with some of the most important judgements," he said.

Rao said Justice Dharmadhikari was an outstanding orator and writer, and championed the cause of rural development, dignity of labour and promotion of khadi.

"He had spoken on the theme 'Gandhian Values' at the Raj Bhawan in Mumbai barely three months ago on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). I pay my respects to the abiding memory of late Justice Dharmadhikari and convey my deepest condolences to his family," the governor said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condoled Justice Dharmadhikari's demise, saying he was a stickler for principles and an inspiration for the new generation.

"Justice Dharamadhikari carried forward the legacy of social responsibility of his father late Dada Dharmadhikari.

He worked for the spread of Gandhian values till his last. He had also guided the state government from time to time," he said.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit said Dharmadhikari's demise was a great loss for society and a personal loss for him.

"He was a towering personality who made a significant contribution towards the betterment of society. He was a scholar, an erudite speaker, a thinker and legal luminary who inspired a generation of lawyers," he said.

Purohit said he had a long association with Justice Dharmadhikari as they both worked together in social and educational fields.