Jagmohanlal Sinha

Portrait of Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha[1][2] (12 May 1920 – 20 March 2008) was an Indian judge known for his 1975 ruling in the State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain lawsuit, which invalidated the election of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Legal career[edit]

Jagmohanlal Sinha studied law at Agra University.[3]

In 1943, Justice Sinha started his legal career in Bareilly, and later, in 1957, he joined the Uttar Pradesh Higher Judicial Service.

1975 verdict[edit]

Justice Sinha's most significant moment came in 1975 when he presided over the challenge to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha election. The case focused on allegations of electoral malpractices, including the illegal employment of a government servant, Yashpal Kapoor, for election-related work.[4][5][6][7]

Justice Sinha conducted the court proceedings with a strong commitment to justice and judicial independence. His actions, such as not allowing lawyers to stand when the Prime Minister entered the courtroom, demonstrated his dedication to upholding the judiciary's dignity.

On June 12, 1975, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha delivered his historic verdict, convicting Indira Gandhi of electoral malpractices and disqualifying her from holding any elected post under the Representation of People Act.

Impact and legacy[edit]

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha's verdict is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Indian political history. It played a role in the declaration of the Emergency in India on June 25, 1975, a period marked by curtailed civil liberties and rule by decree.[8][9]

His legacy endures in Indian legal circles as a symbol of commitment to justice and the rule of law. His historic verdict and the events that followed serve as a reminder to many of the judiciary's crucial role in upholding democratic values.[10] His judgment has been praised as a judgment of great courage by the Chief Justice of India - Mr. NV Ramana[11] Other members of the judicial panel were also politically humiliated and ostracized.[12] Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha had been avoiding public appearances and even asked his stenographer to disappear before the result was announced.[13][14]

Later life[edit]

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha's contributions to the legal field earned him lasting recognition. He continued to be revered for his courageous judgment, which left an indelible mark on India's political landscape.[15][16][17][18]

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha's life and career stand as a testament to the principle that the pursuit of justice and upholding the law are paramount in a democratic society. His commitment to these ideals has left an enduring legacy in the annals of Indian jurisprudence.[19][20][21][22][23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Justice with a fine balance". Frontline. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Hon'ble Mr. Jagmohan Lal Sinha". www.allahabadhighcourt.in. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Judge who set aside Indira Gandhi's election dies". Hindustan Times. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  4. ^ "How India's courts deal with electoral fraud". www.sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Brief Biodata".
  6. ^ "Rajinder Kumar Dhawan: Once a powerful lieutenant to Indira Gandhi, veteran Congressman's death signals end of an era". Firstpost. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Political Scenario". raebareli.nic.in. Archived from the original on 22 April 2001.
  8. ^ "Human Rights During Emergency". www.allahabadhighcourt.in. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Allahabad HC's 1975 verdict disqualifying then PM Indira Gandhi was judgment of great courage: CJI Ramana". The Times of India. 11 September 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  10. ^ "The India of Today Needs Judicial Verdicts of 'Great Courage'". The Wire. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  11. ^ Ahmed, Areeb Uddin (11 September 2021). "Allahabad High Court judgment disqualifying Indira Gandhi shook the nation, judgment of great courage: CJI NV Ramana". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Govt does not want an independent judiciary: Ramesh Chandra Srivastava". India Today. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Prem Prakash watched history unfold". Penguin Random House India. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  14. ^ "MRS. GANDHI VOWS TO STAY IN OFFICE IN SPITE OF RUING". The New York Times. 13 June 1975. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  15. ^ न्यूज, संकल्प ठाकुर, एबीपी (28 July 2022). "जस्टिस जगमोहन लाल सिन्हा, जिन्होंने सुनाया था इंदिरा गांधी के खिलाफ ऐतिहासिक फैसला". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 14 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "MRS GANDHI UNSEATED..जस्टिस सिन्हा के फैसले का फ्लैश और काले अध्याय की आहट". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  17. ^ https://www.thestatesman.com/india/allahabad-hc-decision-disqualify-indira-gandhi-shook-india-resulted-emergency-cji-1503006092.html
  18. ^ "Right Word | Remembering Emergency: When guilty went unpunished". Firstpost. 25 June 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  19. ^ https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/right-word-remembering-emergency-when-guilty-went-unpunished-10835191.html
  20. ^ "As Rahul Gandhi has to leave Lok Sabha, remembering Indira Gandhi's disqualification 48 years ago". The Indian Express. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  21. ^ https://academic.oup.com/book/1966/chapter-abstract/141786458?redirectedFrom=fulltext
  22. ^ https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/leps206.pdf
  23. ^ "When a PM's conceit dragged down India". The Pioneer. Retrieved 14 September 2023.

External links[edit]