Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, born on 30 October 1949, is a distinguished former judge of the Supreme Court of India. Her multifaceted career encompasses roles as a public prosecutor, judge on the Bombay High Court, Supreme Court judge, and subsequent leadership positions in various legal and administrative bodies.
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Ranjana Prakash Desai |
| Date of Birth | 30 October 1949 |
| Place of Birth | Not specified |
| Career | – Enrolled as an advocate in 1973 |
| – Served as Assistant Government Pleader in the Bombay High Court | |
| – Appointed as an additional judge at the Bombay High Court in 1996 | |
| – Elevated to the Supreme Court of India in September 2011 | |
| Other Positions Held | – Chairperson of the Indian Appellate Tribunal for Electricity |
| – Chairperson of the Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax] | |
| – Chairperson of the Press Council of India (term started on June 17, 2022) | |
| – Head of the Delimitation Commission of India (appointed on 13 March 2020) | |
| – Head of the Uttarakhand UCC committee (appointed on 28 May 2022) | |
| Judicial Contributions | – Notable judgments include the one ending the Haj subsidy by 2022 and allowing “none of the above” vote in elections |
| Education | – Completed Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and Masters in political science from University of Delhi |
| – Completed Bachelor of Laws from the Campus Law Centre of the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi | |
| Retirement Date | Retired on 23 September 2019 from the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity |
Early Life and Education
Justice Desai, born to criminal lawyer S. G. Samant, laid the foundation for her legal journey with a Bachelor of Arts from Elphinstone College in 1970. She further honed her legal acumen, earning a Bachelor of Laws from the Government Law College, Bombay in 1973.
Career
Enrolling as an advocate in 1973, Justice Desai practiced law with notable figures such as S.C. Pratap and her father, S.G. Samant. She served the Government of Maharashtra in various capacities, starting as an Assistant Government Pleader in 1979, subsequently becoming the Additional Public Prosecutor in 1983.
High Court of Bombay
Justice Desai’s career reached a milestone when she was appointed as an additional judge at the Bombay High Court in 1996. Her dedication led to a permanent judgeship in 1998, where she served until her elevation to the Supreme Court in 2011.
Supreme Court of India
Appointed to the Supreme Court on 13 September 2011, Justice Desai made significant contributions during her tenure until 2014. She became the fifth woman to hold the esteemed position of an Indian Supreme Court judge.
Post-Supreme Court Roles
After retiring from the Supreme Court, Justice Desai took on roles that showcased her administrative and leadership abilities. She served as the chairperson of the Indian Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, the Advance Ruling Authority [Income Tax], and the Press Council of India.
Delimitation Commission and Other Committees
In March 2020, Justice Desai assumed the role of the chairperson of the Delimitation Commission of India. Her commitment to legal reform and expertise is further highlighted by her appointment as the Head of the Uttarakhand UCC committee in May 2022.
Haj Subsidy Decision and Landmark Rulings
Justice Desai, during her time in the Supreme Court, played a crucial role in the decision to end the Haj subsidy by 2022. Additionally, in a landmark ruling in September 2013, she, along with other justices, endorsed the right to register a “none of the above” vote in elections, foreseeing systemic changes in polls.
Lokpal Appointment Committee:
Justice Desai chaired the search committee tasked with recommending a chairperson and members for India’s anti-corruption ombudsman agency, the Lokpal, in 2018.
Legacy and Recognition
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has left an indelible mark on the Indian legal landscape, contributing significantly to jurisprudence, legal administration, and social justice.
