Madan Mohan Punchhi (10 October 1933 – 17 June 2015) was the 28th Chief Justice of India from 18 January 1998 until his retirement on 9 October 1998.

Early life and education

His father, Nand Lal Punchhi was a lawyer. He graduated from the DAV College and Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

Career

He began his legal career in his father's chambers in 1955, and was appointed as a Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court in October 1979. In October 1989, he was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and became Chief Justice of India in January 1998. Over the course of his Supreme Court tenure, Punchhi authored 142 judgments and sat on 776 benches. Post retirement, he was appointed by the Government of India as the Chairman of the Centre State relations commission, subsequently known as the Punchhi commission, which dealt with matters pertaining to the Centre-State relations in India. He was a resident of Chandigarh.

Personal life

He was married to Meera Punchhi, and had two sons and two daughters. His daughter Priya is married to BJP politician Sanjay Tandon.