Justice N.V. Anjaria assumed office as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on May 30, 2025. Prior to his elevation, Justice Anjaria helmed the Karnataka High Court as its chief justice from February 25, 2024. Born in Ahmedabad in March 1965, Justice Anjaria served as a judge in the Gujarat High Court for over 12 years, first as an additional judge between November 2011 and September 2013, and then as a permanent judge till February 2024.
During his tenures, Justice Anjaria has delivered significant decisions on public health, federalism, and on issues relating to marginalised communities.
We trace some of his crucial decisions.
Patel Dharmeshbhai Naranbhai v. Dharmendrabhai Pravinbhai Fofani (2023)
The crucial issue before the Gujarat High Court was whether the closing of meat stores due to noncompliance with food safety standards violated the right to commerce. Meat dealers had contested the closing of their businesses due to a lack of permits and failure to follow food safety standards.
Justice Anjaria, authoring the decision, concluded that while the right to trade is constitutionally guaranteed, it is subject to public health and food safety standards. He noted, "The freedom to trade or the right to do business must yield to public health norms and the restrictive compulsions required to be enforced in the larger public good."
The right to free commerce in food commodities such as meat or any other food must be balanced against public health and food safety concerns. Only vendors who follow legislative guidelines, the court noted, may operate, demonstrating that economic freedoms are subject to reasonable constraints in the interest of public health and maintaining the constitutional balance of rights and duties.
Niteshkumar Mulchandbhai Prajapati v. State of Gujarat (2020)
An inter-caste couple sought police protection from threats based on caste rigidity. The Division Bench, which included Justice Anjaria, strongly criticised caste restrictions, stating that the caste system makes it increasingly impossible for young people to choose their life partners and that such rigidity frequently leads to legal and social upheaval.
The court emphasised the State's responsibility to protect individuals from social discrimination and called for administrative safeguards to protect such couples.
Kalyan Janta Sahakari Bank Ltd. v. State of Gujarat (2016)
Justice Anjaria served on the bench that evaluated the legislative competence of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (Conferment of Power to Redeem Bonds) Act, 2008, which was challenged on the grounds that it went beyond the State's legislative authority. The High Court declared the Act illegal for a lack of legislative competence, stating that the State had exceeded its jurisdiction in a realm designated for the Union and Concurrent Lists.
Directorate of Enforcement v. Dr. Natesha D B (2025)
In this case, under challenge was the constitutionality of halting search and seizure activities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) . The Enforcement Directorate's actions had been overturned by a single judge, and Justice Anjaria, as Chief Justice, refused to stay the decision, emphasising the importance of judicial oversight over investigative authorities. This decision added to the evolving jurisprudence on balancing investigative authority with individual rights under the PMLA.
Girish Bharadwaj v. State of Karnataka (2025)
In this case, the Karnataka government's decision to drop prosecution in significant riot instances in the Hubbali riots, including attacks on police stations, was challenged. In his final month as Karnataka High Court’s chief justice, Justice Anjaria, alongside Justice K.V. Aaravind, overturned the withdrawal, arguing that judicial review is critical to preventing political abuse of executive authority in criminal justice cases.