Former Chief Justice Vinod Gupta passes away at 77, legal fraternity mourns loss
Justice Vinod Gupta’s demise leaves deep void in legal circles, tributes pour in
Jammu, 15-02-2025: Justice (Retd) Vinod Kumar Gupta, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand High Courts, passed away this evening in New Delhi after a brief illness. He was 77. His demise has left the legal fraternity and his well-wishers in deep mourning, as they remember him for his immense contributions to the judiciary and his unwavering commitment to justice.
Justice Gupta is survived by his mother, wife Usha, daughter Ruchira Gupta, and son Gaurav. He breathed his last at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, where he had been undergoing treatment for the past month. News of his passing has deeply saddened his friends, former colleagues from the Bar and the Bench, and members of the legal community in Jammu, where he began his illustrious career.
A distinguished law graduate from Delhi University in 1970, Justice Gupta embarked on his legal journey as a junior to the late D. D. Thakur at the Jammu High Court. He was an active member of the Jammu Bar Association and later served as the Central Government Standing Counsel. In 1990, he was appointed as the Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrating exceptional legal acumen in his role. His judicial career saw a remarkable ascent when he was elevated as a Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
During his tenure as a judge, he also held the position of Vice President of Jammu Club, where he played a pivotal role in the expansion and enhancement of its infrastructure. His judicial career took him beyond Jammu and Kashmir, as he went on to serve as a Judge of the Calcutta High Court for four years before being appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court in November 2000. Later, he was elevated as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2003, where he served with distinction until his retirement on September 9, 2009.
A man of great intellect and affability, Justice Gupta was known for his deep sense of fairness, his commitment to upholding the rule of law, and his social nature. A widely traveled and well-respected personality, he touched many lives with his wisdom and humility. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of legal professionals.
His cremation will take place tomorrow in New Delhi, as friends, family, and admirers bid a final farewell to a towering figure in the Indian judiciary.
