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{{short description|3rd Chief Justice of India}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| name = | | name = Mehr Chand Mahajan | ||
| image = Justice_Mehr_Chand_Mahajan.jpg | |||
| caption = Mahajan in 1950 | |||
| order = 3rd | |||
| office = Chief Justice of India | | office = Chief Justice of India | ||
| appointer = [[Rajendra Prasad]] | | appointer = [[Rajendra Prasad]] | ||
| term_start = 4 January 1954 | |||
| term_end = 22 December 1954 | |||
| predecessor = [[M. Patanjali Sastri]] | | predecessor = [[M. Patanjali Sastri]] | ||
| successor = [[Bijan Kumar Mukherjea]] | | successor = [[Bijan Kumar Mukherjea]] | ||
| | | office1 = Judge of [[Supreme Court of India]] | ||
| | | termstart1 = 28 January 1950 | ||
| | | termend1 = 3 January 1954 | ||
| | | appointer1 = [[Rajendra Prasad]] | ||
| | | office2 = Judge of [[Federal Court of India]] | ||
| | | term_start2 = 4 October 1948 | ||
| | | term_end2 = 27 January 1950 | ||
| | | appointer2 = [[C. Rajagopalachari]] | ||
| | | office3 = [[Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir]] | ||
| | | term_start3 = 15 October 1947 | ||
| term_end3 = 5 March 1948 | |||
| predecessor3 = [[Janak Singh]] | |||
| successor3 = [[Sheikh Abdullah]] | |||
| monarch3 = [[Hari Singh]] | |||
| office4 = Judge of [[Punjab High Court]] | |||
| term_start4 = 15 August 1947 | |||
| term_end4 = 3 October 1948 | |||
| appointer4 = [[C. Rajagopalachari]] | |||
| office5 = Judge of [[Lahore High Court]] | |||
| term_start5 = 27 September 1943 | |||
| term_end5 = 14 August 1947 | |||
| appointer5 = [[George VI]] | |||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1889|12|23|df=y}} | |||
| birth_place = [[Kangra district|Kangra]], Punjab, British India<br><small>(now in [[Himachal Pradesh]], India)</small> | |||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1967|12|11|1889|12|23|df=y}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
''' | '''Mehr Chand Mahajan''' (23 December 1889 – 11 December 1967) was an Indian jurist and politician who was the third chief justice of the [[Supreme Court of India]]. Prior to that he was the prime minister of the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] during the reign of Maharaja [[Hari Singh]] and played a key role in the accession of the state to [[India]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}} He was the [[Indian National Congress]] nominee on the [[Radcliffe Line|Radcliffe Commission]] that defined the boundaries of India and [[Pakistan]]. | ||
Mahajan made his name as an accomplished lawyer, a respected judge, and an influential [[politician]]. As a judge he was incisive and forthright and had many leading judgements to his credit. | |||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Mehr Chand Mahajan was born on 23 December 1889 at Tika [[Nagrota Bagwan|Nagrota]] in the [[Kangra district]] of Punjab, [[British India]] (now | Mehr Chand Mahajan was born on 23 December 1889 at Tika [[Nagrota Bagwan|Nagrota]] in the [[Kangra district]] of Punjab, [[British India]] (now in Himachal Pradesh). His father, Lala Brij Lal, was an advocate, who later established a reputed legal practice at [[Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh|Dharmsala]].<ref name=Rohmetra>Ravi Rohmetra, [http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/mehr-chand-mahajan-pm-jk/ Mehr Chand Mahajan as PM of J&K], Daily Excelsior, 23 December 2016.</ref> | ||
After completing middle school, Mahajan went to study in the [[Government College, Lahore]], graduating in 1910. He enrolled in M.Sc. Chemistry, but switched to law following persuasion from his father. He earned an LL.B. degree in 1912.<ref name=Rohmetra/> | After completing middle school, Mahajan went to study in the [[Government College, Lahore]], graduating in 1910. He enrolled in M.Sc. Chemistry, but switched to law following persuasion from his father. He earned an LL.B. degree in 1912.<ref name=Rohmetra/> | ||
| Line 37: | Line 52: | ||
Mahajan started his career as a lawyer in 1913 in Dharamsala, where he spent a year practising. He spent the next four years (1914-1918) as a lawyer in [[Gurdaspur]]. He then practiced law in [[Lahore]] from 1918 to 1943. During his time there, he served as president of the High Court Bar Association of Lahore (1938 to 1943). | Mahajan started his career as a lawyer in 1913 in Dharamsala, where he spent a year practising. He spent the next four years (1914-1918) as a lawyer in [[Gurdaspur]]. He then practiced law in [[Lahore]] from 1918 to 1943. During his time there, he served as president of the High Court Bar Association of Lahore (1938 to 1943). | ||
==Justice of Punjab High Court == | ==Justice of [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]] == | ||
He became a Justice in the pre-independence [[Lahore High Court | He became a Justice in the pre-independence [[Lahore High Court]] on 27.9.1943. After independence, he became judge of East Punjab High Court now known as [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]]. While he was serving there, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir called him to [[Indo-Pakistani_War_of_1947–1948#Pakistan's_preparations,_Maharaja's_manoeuvring|become his Prime Minister for the negotiations regarding merger with India]] on 15.10.1947.<ref>Mahajan, Mehr Chand (1963), Looking Back: The Autobiography of Mehr Chand Mahajan, Former Chief Justice of India, Asia Publishing House, pp 123.</ref> | ||
==Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir== | ==Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir== | ||
Mahajan visited Kashmir on invitation of the Maharani in September 1947 and was asked to be the Prime Minister of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] which he accepted. On 15 October 1947, Mahajan was appointed the Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and played a role in the accession of the state to India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/what-soured-the-promise-of-kashmir/cid/1686431|title=What soured the promise of Kashmir|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref> Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India in October 1947 and Mahajan thus became the 1st Prime Minister of the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], serving in that post until 5 March 1948. | Mahajan visited Kashmir on invitation of the Maharani [[Tara Devi of Jammu and Kashmir|Tara Devi]] in September 1947 and was asked to be the Prime Minister of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] which he accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Poll prep or toast to ‘nationalist hero’? Why BJP unveiled statue of Mehr Chand Mahajan in Jammu|access-date=21 March 2025|url=https://theprint.in/india/poll-prep-or-toast-to-nationalist-hero-why-bjp-unveiled-statue-of-mehr-chand-mahajan-in-jammu/1057101/?amp|publisher=The Print}}</ref> On 15 October 1947, Mahajan was appointed the Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and played a role in the accession of the state to India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/what-soured-the-promise-of-kashmir/cid/1686431|title=What soured the promise of Kashmir|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref> Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India in October 1947 and Mahajan thus became the 1st Prime Minister of the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], serving in that post until 5 March 1948. | ||
== Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India == | == Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India == | ||
Mahajan took office as the third [[Chief Justice of India]] on 4 January 1954. He was the head of India's judicial system for almost a year, until his retirement on 22 December 1954 (mandatory retirement at age 65). Before becoming Chief Justice he served as one of the first Judges of the Supreme Court of independent India from 4 October 1948 to 3 January 1954. | Mahajan took office as the third [[Chief Justice of India]] on 4 January 1954. He was the head of India's judicial system for almost a year, until his retirement on 22 December 1954 (mandatory retirement at age 65). Before becoming Chief Justice he served as one of the first Judges of the Supreme Court of independent India from 4 October 1948 to 3 January 1954. | ||
Over the course of his tenure on the Supreme Court, Mahajan authored 132 judgments and was a part of 337 benches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mehr Chand Mahajan |url=https://www.scobserver.in/judges/mehr-chand-mahajan/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Supreme Court Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
== Other positions of note == | == Other positions of note == | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahajan, Mehr Chand}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Mahajan, Mehr Chand}} | ||
[[Category:Chief | [[Category:Chief justices of India]] | ||
[[Category:1889 births]] | [[Category:1889 births]] | ||
[[Category:1967 deaths]] | [[Category:1967 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:People from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh]] | [[Category:People from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:Chief | [[Category:Chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)]] | ||
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]] | [[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Himachal Pradesh]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian judges]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian judges]] | ||
| Line 100: | Line 117: | ||
{{India-law-bio-stub}} | {{India-law-bio-stub}} | ||
[[Category:People from Punjab Province (British India)]] | |||
Latest revision as of 07:19, 10 March 2026
Mehr Chand Mahajan | |
|---|---|
 Mahajan in 1950 | |
| 3rd Chief Justice of India | |
| In office 4 January 1954 – 22 December 1954 | |
| Appointed by | Rajendra Prasad |
| Preceded by | M. Patanjali Sastri |
| Succeeded by | Bijan Kumar Mukherjea |
| Judge of Supreme Court of India | |
| In office 28 January 1950 – 3 January 1954 | |
| Appointed by | Rajendra Prasad |
| Judge of Federal Court of India | |
| In office 4 October 1948 – 27 January 1950 | |
| Appointed by | C. Rajagopalachari |
| Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir | |
| In office 15 October 1947 – 5 March 1948 | |
| Monarch | Hari Singh |
| Preceded by | Janak Singh |
| Succeeded by | Sheikh Abdullah |
| Judge of Punjab High Court | |
| In office 15 August 1947 – 3 October 1948 | |
| Appointed by | C. Rajagopalachari |
| Judge of Lahore High Court | |
| In office 27 September 1943 – 14 August 1947 | |
| Appointed by | George VI |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 December 1889 Kangra, Punjab, British India (now in Himachal Pradesh, India) |
| Died | 11 December 1967 (aged 77) |
Mehr Chand Mahajan (23 December 1889 – 11 December 1967) was an Indian jurist and politician who was the third chief justice of the Supreme Court of India. Prior to that he was the prime minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir during the reign of Maharaja Hari Singh and played a key role in the accession of the state to India.[citation needed] He was the Indian National Congress nominee on the Radcliffe Commission that defined the boundaries of India and Pakistan.
Mahajan made his name as an accomplished lawyer, a respected judge, and an influential politician. As a judge he was incisive and forthright and had many leading judgements to his credit.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Mehr Chand Mahajan was born on 23 December 1889 at Tika Nagrota in the Kangra district of Punjab, British India (now in Himachal Pradesh). His father, Lala Brij Lal, was an advocate, who later established a reputed legal practice at Dharmsala.[1]
After completing middle school, Mahajan went to study in the Government College, Lahore, graduating in 1910. He enrolled in M.Sc. Chemistry, but switched to law following persuasion from his father. He earned an LL.B. degree in 1912.[1]
Career as a lawyer[edit | edit source]
Mahajan started his career as a lawyer in 1913 in Dharamsala, where he spent a year practising. He spent the next four years (1914-1918) as a lawyer in Gurdaspur. He then practiced law in Lahore from 1918 to 1943. During his time there, he served as president of the High Court Bar Association of Lahore (1938 to 1943).
Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court[edit | edit source]
He became a Justice in the pre-independence Lahore High Court on 27.9.1943. After independence, he became judge of East Punjab High Court now known as Punjab and Haryana High Court. While he was serving there, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir called him to become his Prime Minister for the negotiations regarding merger with India on 15.10.1947.[2]
Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir[edit | edit source]
Mahajan visited Kashmir on invitation of the Maharani Tara Devi in September 1947 and was asked to be the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir which he accepted.[3] On 15 October 1947, Mahajan was appointed the Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and played a role in the accession of the state to India.[4] Jammu & Kashmir acceded to India in October 1947 and Mahajan thus became the 1st Prime Minister of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, serving in that post until 5 March 1948.
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India[edit | edit source]
Mahajan took office as the third Chief Justice of India on 4 January 1954. He was the head of India's judicial system for almost a year, until his retirement on 22 December 1954 (mandatory retirement at age 65). Before becoming Chief Justice he served as one of the first Judges of the Supreme Court of independent India from 4 October 1948 to 3 January 1954.
Over the course of his tenure on the Supreme Court, Mahajan authored 132 judgments and was a part of 337 benches.[5]
Other positions of note[edit | edit source]
- Director, Punjab National Bank, 1933–43
- Pres. D.A.V. College, Managing Committee, 1938–43
- Fellow and Syndic, Punjab University, 1940–47
- Judge, Lahore High Court, 1943
- All India Fruit Products Association Bombay Session, 1945
- Member, R.I.N. Mutiny Commission, 1946
- 1947 Dewan of Jammu and Kashmir State 1947-48
- Judge, East Punjab High Court
- Punjab Boundary Commission, 1947
- Syndic, East Punjab University, 1947–50
- Constitutional Adviser to His Highness the Maharaja of Bikaner, 1948
- Hon. Degree of LL.D., Punjab University; 1948
- Member, Fruit Development Board, Punjab
- Commission on Belgaum (dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra), 1967
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ravi Rohmetra, Mehr Chand Mahajan as PM of J&K, Daily Excelsior, 23 December 2016.
- ↑ Mahajan, Mehr Chand (1963), Looking Back: The Autobiography of Mehr Chand Mahajan, Former Chief Justice of India, Asia Publishing House, pp 123.
- ↑ "Poll prep or toast to 'nationalist hero'? Why BJP unveiled statue of Mehr Chand Mahajan in Jammu". The Print. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
- ↑ "What soured the promise of Kashmir". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- ↑ "Mehr Chand Mahajan". Supreme Court Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
External links[edit | edit source]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Janak Singh |
Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir 1947–1948 |
Succeeded by Sheikh Abdullah |
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by M. Patanjali Sastri |
Chief Justice of India 3 January 1954 – 22 December 1954 |
Succeeded by Bijan Kumar Mukherjea |
