As India votes today to elect its next Vice President, all eyes are on the two contenders — CP Radhakrishnan of the NDA and retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, fielded by the INDIA bloc. While Radhakrishnan brings years of political experience, Justice Reddy enters the race with a long and respected judicial career.

Early Life and Education

Born in July 1946 in Akula Mylaram, now part of Telangana, Reddy studied law at Osmania University. He began practising at the Andhra Pradesh High Court in December 1971, starting his career in Hyderabad.

Judicial Career

Reddy served as an advocate in civil matters before being appointed as government pleader in the Andhra Pradesh High Court between 1988 and 1990. He later rose to become a judge of the Supreme Court of India, where he handled several significant cases.

Landmark Judgments

One of Justice Reddy’s most cited rulings came in 2011, when he declared Chhattisgarh’s state-backed Salwa Judum militia unconstitutional. He also delivered an important interpretation of Section 47 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, protecting the rights of employees who acquire disabilities during service.

First Lokayukta of Goa

After retiring from the Supreme Court, Reddy was appointed the first Lokayukta of Goa in 2013 to oversee anti-corruption efforts. He also chaired an expert committee on Telangana’s caste census, which influenced state policies on reservations.

Other Roles

In 2022, the Supreme Court named him as an oversight authority for mining operations in Karnataka. He later became a Life Trustee of the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre in Hyderabad and contributed to expert groups studying Telangana’s socio-economic and caste data.

With a career spanning over five decades, Justice B Sudershan Reddy now steps into the political spotlight as the INDIA bloc’s choice for the country’s second-highest constitutional office.
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