Ashok Bhushan

Ashok Bhushan (born 5 July 1956) is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and the chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. He was the 31st chief justice of the Kerala High Court. He is a former judge of the Kerala High Court and Allahabad High Court.^[1][2]

Ashok Bhushan
Justice Ashok Bhushan
Chairperson of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
In office 8 November 2021 – 4 July 2026
Appointed by	Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
Preceded by	S. J. Mukhopadhaya
Judge of the Supreme Court of India
In office 13 May 2016 – 4 July 2021
Nominated by	T. S. Thakur
Appointed by	Pranab Mukherjee
Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court
In office 26 March 2015 – 12 May 2016
Nominated by	H. L. Dattu
Appointed by	Pranab Mukherjee
Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court
In office 1 August 2014 – 25 March 2015
Appointed by	Pranab Mukherjee
Judge of the Kerala High Court
In office 10 July 2014 – 31 July 2015
Nominated by	Rajendra Mal Lodha
Appointed by	Pranab Mukherjee
Judge of the Allahabad High Court
In office 24 April 2001 – 9 July 2014
Nominated by	Adarsh Sein Anand
Appointed by	Kocheril Raman Narayanan
Personal details
Born	(1956-07-05) 5 July 1956 (age 69) Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India
Alma mater	Allahabad University
Website	www.sci.gov.in

Early life

Ashok Bhushan was born in Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh on 5 July 1956 to the late Chandrama Prasad Srivastava and his wife Kalavathi Srivasthava. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 he studied law in Allahabad University and graduated in 1979.^[1]

Career

Bhushan started his career in advocacy by enrolling with Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh on 6 April 1979 and started practising in civil and original side at Allahabad High Court until his elevation to the bench.^[1][3] While practising as an advocate in Allahabad High Court, he served as the standing counsel for various institutions such as Allahabad University, State Mineral Development Corporation Limited and several municipal boards, banks and education institutions and also as the senior vice–president of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association.^[1][3]

He was elevated as permanent judge of the Allahabad High Court on 24 April 2001 he served as chairman of the Higher Judicial Service committee and headed several other committees.^[1][3]

He was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Kerala on 10 July 2014, taking charge as acting chief justice on 1 August 2014^[4] and as chief justice on 26 March 2015.^[1][2][3]

He was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India on 13 May 2016.^[5]

On the farewell speech organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Ashok said “Grant of appropriate remedy is not the discretion of the judge but his obligation. Justice must be tempered with mercy but justice cannot be substituted for mercy.” He retired on 4 July 2021.^{[citation needed]}

On 8 November 2021, he took the oath as the chairperson of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal where he served till 4 July 2026.^[6]