Though the judiciary has intervened on many
Mathew and Ammini Tharakan.M. Appreciated for his out-of-the-box but pragmatic approach to law, he was elevated as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court in 2014 and he became instantly popular for his bold approach to issues. He was educated in Kochi and Chennai and started his legal practice in Delhi. He has always strived hard in providing justice to poor litigants.His landmark decision on the liquor policy of Uttarakhand reflected his legal acumen, say lawyers close to him. A former apex court artificial fur fabric wholesale judge who has observed Joseph for a number of years said that Joseph, by his simplicity and patient hearing, has endeared himself with the members of the Bar and other judges wherever he is posted.
He said democracy and federalism were the essential features of our Constitution and were part of its basic structure. Any interpretation that we may place on Article 356 must, therefore help to preserve and not subvert their fabric.K.He came to the limelight with the hard hitting judgment, even criticising the President of India for imposing President’s Rule in Uttarakhand without any material.Asked about the recent President’s Rule judgment, he unfortunately, says that he cannot speak about the judgment or give an interview on the matter as it is sub judice in the apex court. Joseph was in the headlines recently for his landmark verdict quashing President’s Rule imposed in the state by the Narendra Modi government on March 27. When former Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat challenged the President’s Rule imposed in the state on March 27, he would not have imagined that he would get relief so quickly.
Throughout the hearing, the Centre was caught in the back-foot as the Bench headed by Chief Justice Joseph questioned the Union of India’s bonafides in imposing President’s Rule one day before the scheduled floor test fixed by the Governor. Justice Joseph (57) brooks no nonsense in his daily dealings with lawyers and litigants alike. Though the judiciary has intervened on many occasions challenging President’s Rule in states, the judgment restoring the Harish Rawat government had far reaching consequences. Earlier, he was a judge at the Kerala High Court for nine years. Justice Joseph, who belongs to Kerala, was born to former Supreme Court judge K. His conviction in the rule of law made him observe that the action of the President in exercising his powers in issuing the proclamation to unseat Harish Rawat as Chief Minister was subject to judicial review.Whether this historic judgment will stand the apex court’s approval or not remains to be seen when the matter is adjudicated.
He’s firm, tactful but unfailingly polite, something that made him a popular judge both among lawyers and judges. Though the judgment has been stayed by the apex court, Justice Joseph has made an indelible imprint by rendering a landmark verdict, very rarely seen in our High Courts.. It being said that this could be the real reason behind his sudden transfer to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He said Joseph is also a champion of human rights. A litigator at heart, Joseph managed matters related to a wide range of subjects including civil, criminal, taxation and constitutional cases.With the bold verdict Justice Joseph stunned the Centre, which was confident that its action would get the court’s nod.Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court K
