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New Delhi: The opposition INDIA bloc has named former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. Justice Reddy, who presided over India’s constitutional courts for over 16 years, is widely respected for his integrity, independence, and landmark judgments.

Early Life and Education
Born on July 8, 1946, in Akula Mylaram village of Rangareddy district (then Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana), Justice Reddy hailed from a farmer’s family. He completed his BA and LLB from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1971 and enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh the same year.

Legal and Judicial Career
Justice Reddy built a distinguished career in writ and civil matters at the Andhra Pradesh High Court and also served as Government Pleader (1988–90). He was Additional Standing Counsel for the Centre in 1990 and later served as Legal Adviser and Standing Counsel for Osmania University.

He was appointed a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in May 1995 and went on to become Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in December 2005. In January 2007, he was elevated to the Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in July 2011. He later became the first Lokayukta of Goa (March–September 2013), before stepping down citing personal reasons.

Landmark Verdicts
Justice Reddy is remembered for several landmark rulings. He headed the Black Money case, directing the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe illicit wealth stashed abroad. In 2011, he led the Bench that struck down the Chhattisgarh government’s use of armed tribal youth as Special Police Officers under Salwa Judum, declaring it unconstitutional. He was also part of the Constitution Bench that declared natural gas a national asset under government control.

Political Announcement
Announcing his candidature, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “All INDIA bloc parties have unanimously decided to support Justice B Sudershan Reddy as our common candidate for the Vice-Presidential election. I am pleased that the opposition has united behind one candidate. It is a big achievement for democracy.” Justice Reddy’s nomination, observers say, reflects the opposition’s choice of a non-political, high-integrity figure with a strong record of defending constitutional values.