Jurist who made knowledge his verdict

Luminary Bakhshi Tek Chand, fondly remembered as Sir Bakhshi, was not only a distinguished jurist but also a visionary social worker whose roots lay in Nurpur town. Decades after his passing, residents of the region continue to honour his remarkable contributions to education — especially girls’ education — and his pivotal role in the Indian judiciary during and after British rule.

The Government Senior Secondary Girls’ School in Nurpur, housed in his former residence, stands today as both an educational hub and a living monument to his memory. After Justice Bakhshi’s demise on August 28, 1962, his wife Leelawati, who shared his ideals and deep concern for women’s empowerment, donated their home to the government. She ensured it would be used exclusively as a girls’ school, keeping alive her husband’s vision. For more than six decades, this historic institution has educated generations of girls from Nurpur and its surrounding rural belt.

Geeti Bhagat, his youngest granddaughter, told The Tribune that her grandfather — father to seven daughters — left a legacy of compassion and service. Though the family relocated to Delhi in 1960, they have consistently upheld his ideals, continuing to support distressed individuals, especially young girls seeking education and opportunities.

A life of service, scholarship

Born on August 26, 1883, in Nurpur, Tek Chand’s early education took him from the Municipal Board School, Nurpur, to Mission School, Dharamsala, and later to DAV High School, Lahore. He pursued law at the University Law College, Lahore, and began his practice at the Lahore High Court. His legal acumen saw him rise from advocate to judge, eventually becoming the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.

Bakhshi’s association with the Indian National Congress began in 1900 when he served as secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. In 1905, he entered the Punjab Legislative Council. Though his political career was brief, his public service was profound. He played a crucial role during the tumultuous years of Partition, assisting eminent jurist MC Setalvad in shaping Congress’s stance on Punjab’s division. His voice resonated in the Constituent Assembly Debates, where some of his proposals — on personal liberty, preventive detention and separation of powers — were adopted.

Service during Partition

During the 1947 Partition, Justice Bakhshi was appointed to the Punjab Riot Sufferers Relief Committee, working to ease the refugee crisis. Post-Independence, he was chosen as Chairman of the Patents Enquiry Committee (1949), set up by the Government of India to reform the country’s patent laws.

Six decades of empowering girls

• Today, Sir Chand is remembered not only as a towering figure in law and governance but also as a pioneer in education for women
• After Justice Bakhshi’s demise on August 28, 1962, his wife Leelawati, who shared his ideals and deep concern for women’s empowerment, donated their home to the government
• She ensured it would be used exclusively as a girls’ school, keeping her husband’s vision of an equitable future alive
• For more than six decades, this historic institution has educated generations of girls from Nurpur and its surrounding rural belt