@ThinkTank · 3:14
Tribute to the life and times of Former Chief Justice of India Kamal Narain Singh: In Conversation with Sunita Singh
The judiciary in India has seen several stalwarts and luminaries who have had a profound influence on the way public institutions have functioned over the last seven decades of India's independence. It is without a doubt that this is the most crucial institution in keeping democracy alive as well as holding the powerful accountable. As I mentioned, you know there have been several thinkers and visionaries who have shaped the structure of the judiciary as well as its functioning
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 3:46
And he worked closely with Nehruji Gandhi and Mrs. Gandhi. But when he joined the legal profession, one of his mentors, although in politics, his mentor was Shastri Shastriji, that is Lal Bahadur Shastri. And he worked with him. But later when he joined the legal profession, mr. Satish Chandra Kari was his senior. And in fact before that my father was practicing in the district courts and it was Mr. Satishchan Kharee who was a stalwart of his time
@ThinkTank · 0:51
What's really interesting and increasingly rare, I find, is that in his early days, he had a brief stint with politics. So what was his relationship like with the political system? And I know that he was tasked with spreading the message about the first election that was about to take place in India
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 5:00
And in fact, twice he went to jail, once he was let off, the other time he was imprisoned for, I think, a night. And it was because of this Lal Bahadur Shastri, like I told you, since he got more involved, he came in contact with Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri who was playing a major role and Lal Bahadur Shastrid with him in a good strain going for some party work
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 2:41
So, yes, after that she was very happy because Pandit Nehru won with a thumping majority and from pulpur, of course, they were in touch because he was as a member of the congress. So this continued
@ThinkTank · 1:01
But I think Lal Bhadur Shastri especially had a big impact on him. So could you also tell us a bit about their relationship and the impact that Shastri had on him as well as a couple of, ah, those anecdotes, I mean where, you know, where power really didn't, or the power of his office especially didn't really affect how he dealt with everyday people
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 5:00
He contested that the district board elections and became a member of the elaborate district board. And like since Shastri D was a member so inspired by him, he took a vow never to take any money for it, any reimbursement. Of course, he had a vehicle which he used and he worked in the interior parts for education, public health, also public works
@ThinkTank · 0:58
I remember this other anecdote in the book where you talk about how he didn't react to any intimidation, which I find remarkable because in this day and age you do hear of judges that are either passing favorable verdicts or a lot of the time is not taking difficult stands on important issues. So what were some of the cases which really stood out to you in terms of his long and really incredible career?
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 4:59
And that was another landmark case in which directions were passed by the bench of which my father was one of the judges who passed this order. Because in the Supreme Court, usually single judge benches are not there most of the time. 99% so he was again with Justice Es Venka Ramaya and this was a landmark case among many others which he passed. See, as far as being very particular about his role as a judge is concerned, I'll give a small instance
@ThinkTank · 1:19
I really liked how you concluded that answer. The temptation to be a populist judge is strong, and it's something that judges and people alike should administrators especially, I think, should resist from partaking in Sunita. It's been such a pleasure. I've got so many questions to ask you and my apologies. I always assumed that the bench that presided over Mrs. Gandhi's case also comprised of Justice Kamal Narayan, but my apologies
Sunita Singh
@Sun_ita · 1:23
Thanks, Karan. It's been a wonderful talking to you and answering all the questions, interesting questions, which you have put to me. Yes, I agree. That the reason why this book also is just not about my father, as you know, you've read it. It's about India. The India that was and probably if we can gain something from the times and the men that were my father was a part of those times