One of India’s best-known and beloved judges, Justice Ahmadi was a true trailblazer. Chief Justice of India from 1994 to 1997, he was celebrated for being a ‘Citizen’s Judge’ – fiercely safeguarding fundamental rights, upholding the tenets of the constitution, and advocating for swift justice delivery. Rising from the mofussil courts of Ahmedabad to the top position in the Supreme Court of India, he blazed a trail of secularism, inclusion, and courage through an extraordinary career that spanned three decades.

Involved in several of independent India’s most critical cases that have helped delineate the rules of the game, Ahmadi’s judicial contributions have shaped modern Indian jurisprudence. From SR Bommai vs Union of India, which defined the limits of central authority over state governments, TN Seshan vs Union of India which demarcated the powers and composition of the Election Commission, to Indira Sawhney vs Union of India which shaped reservation policies and L Chandra Kumar vs The Union of India which has been acclaimed for reinforcing the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers between the judiciary and executive.

But it wasn’t just majority judgements that defined Justice Ahmadi’s legacy; it was also his fearless dissenting voice. Whether challenging the government’s takeover of the disputed land in the Acquisition of Certain Areas of Ayodhya Act or rejecting the collegium system in the Second Judges case, he never shied away from upholding his principles, even when it meant standing against the tide.

In “The Fearless Judge,” a candid yet meticulously researched biography by his granddaughter, the journalist Insiyah Vahanvaty, readers are offered a rare glimpse not only into the career of a formidable judge – but also the growing pains of a young country. 

This intimate portrait, drawn from a rich treasure trove of Justice Ahmadi’s private writings, public speeches, and family memories, is a journey through the corridors of power, the complexities of legal reasoning, and a startlingly honest account of a man who dared to speak truth to power no matter the consequences.