U.U. LALIT.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Defense lawyer, Senior Advocate (later Chief Justice of India)

Delhi

“U.U. Lalit is a distinguished jurist and senior advocate who briefly represented Asaram Bapu in bail petitions before being elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court of India, eventually serving as the 49th Chief Justice of India. Lalit's involvement in the case was strictly professional, arguing preliminary legal issues in the higher courts.”

Uday Umesh Lalit is a prominent Indian legal figure who served as the 49th Chief Justice of India from August to November 2022. Prior to his elevation to the bench of the Supreme Court of India in August 2014, Lalit was one of the country's top senior advocates, specializing in criminal law. During the initial phases of the legal proceedings against Asaram Bapu in late 2013 and early 2014, the godman's trust retained Lalit to present their appeals and bail applications before the Supreme Court.

Appearing for Asaram Bapu, Lalit argued on complex constitutional and procedural grounds, challenging the jurisdiction of the Jodhpur Police and seeking the transfer of the case. He argued that the transit and detention procedures followed during Asaram's arrest in Indore violated his statutory rights. Lalit also presented arguments concerning Asaram's health, urging the court to grant temporary relief so the elderly spiritual leader could seek medical attention. The Supreme Court, however, maintained that the seriousness of the POCSO charges required the trial to proceed without interruption, rejecting the petitions.

Lalit's representation of Asaram ended when he was recommended for direct elevation to the Supreme Court bench in mid-2014, becoming only the sixth union advocate to be elevated directly from the bar to the nation's highest court. Following his elevation, he recused himself from hearing any appeals or matters related to the Asaram Bapu case to prevent any conflict of interest, adhering to the highest standards of judicial ethics. His brief representation of Asaram was cited in media reviews of his career prior to his appointment as Chief Justice.

Lalit retired from the Supreme Court in November 2022 after a short but impactful tenure as Chief Justice of India, during which he introduced major administrative reforms in case listing. His professional involvement in the Asaram case represents a standard legal representation by a senior advocate before assuming judicial office. The arguments he raised in the early stages of the case formed the basis for subsequent defense strategies pursued by his successors.