Justice Man Mohan Singh Gujral dead

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 12

The first Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Justice Man Mohan Singh Gujral, is no more. Described by his friends and colleagues as a “fine, honest and knowledgeable Judge”, Justice Gujral breathed his last Sunday evening after a brief illness.

Justice Gujral was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 21, 1969, and assumed the office of the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court on May 7, 1976. He retired on March 15, 1983.

His former colleagues say he was among the few Judges to take on the challenges imposed by the Emergency and was even tipped to be a Supreme Court Judge but was not elevated.

Incredibly active even at the age of 96, Justice Gujral would go for walks regularly to the Sukhna Lake. His son Jag Mohan Gujral says he was playing bridge at the golf club till about 10 days back. His cremation will take place at 2 pm on Tuesday.

Former Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, says Justice Gujral had all qualities of a Judge. “Rather, he was one of the best Judges in the Indian judiciary.

Recalling his outstanding professional achievements, Justice Liberhan says Justice Gujral remained District and Sessions Judge at Ambala, Chandigarh, Shimla and Rohtak. He was also the Legal Remembrancer of joint Punjab.

Full of “fond memories”, former Supreme Court Judge Justice H.S. Bedi says he was a young advocate when Justice Gujral was a High Court Judge. He was extremely pleasant, very dignified and always encouraging, especially towards youngsters.

Justice Bedi adds: “He was one of the few Judges who took the challenge imposed by the Emergency and rendered judgments, upholding the dignity of the individual vis-à-vis the State”.