Bhagat Singh Series : The Episode of Justice Agha Haider
- March 06, 2015
- By Abu Turab Naqvi
- 2 Comments
Justice Agha Haider, originally from Saharanpur, UP, was the only
Indian Judge in the special tribunal formed by the effect of an special
ordinance passed by the then viceroy to conduct the proceedings of
Lahore Conspiracy Case in 1930. The other members of the Tribunal were
Justice Coldstream, the president of the tribunal, and Justice G.C.
Helton.
Apparently, it was just a
formality to form such committees as the verdict was predefined. The
tribunal was to work hand in glove with the Government. Justice Agha
Haider was also to behave in such manner, but he was not going the way
that he was to go. On 12th May 1930, a incident took place in the court
area, it is known that accused used to sing revolutionary songs and
shout slogans like, "Inqilab Zindabad" in the court room. The judges
were so much annoyed by this behaviour that they clearly asked the
accused avoid such things in the court room, when the accused refused to
do so they were given sever maltreatment by the police squad present in
the court room and were removed from the court to jail by force.
Justice Agha Haider did not approved this behaviour of the Tribunal. To
part himself from the whole incident he gave a written testimony to
register his protest that states,
- Abu Turab Naqvi
(For further remarks on this incident please refer to A G Noorani's The Trial of Bhagat Singh: Politics of Justice" )
"I was not the party to the order of removal of the accused from the Court to the jail and I was not responsible for it any way. I disassociate myself from all that took place in the consequences of that order."
12 May 1930, Agha HaiderWhile referring to the incident of Agha Haider, many people say that he had resigned from the tribunal to register his protest, but it is apparent from the historical evidences that he was deliberately removed from the tribunal as he was not fulfilling the desires of the government.
- Abu Turab Naqvi
(For further remarks on this incident please refer to A G Noorani's The Trial of Bhagat Singh: Politics of Justice" )
2 comments
Dear Abu - thanks for presenting the incident in correct perspective. I read a whatsapp post and searched the net "did Justice Agha Haider resign" and found your post, which in no way has demeaned the action of Justice Haider, rather it shows that he did resist the British. Thanks and stay blessed
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correct information. God bless you.
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