The trial of Bhagat Singh : politics of justice

On 23 March 1931, Bhagat Singh and two of his associates were hanged at the Lahore Central Jail. This was the culmination of the Lahore Conspiracy Case, one of the most controversial, not to say notorious, trials to take place in India under the Raj. In this book A.G. Noorani argues that Singh and his comrades were the victims of a travesty of justice that amounted to nothing short of judicial murder. With a lawyer's insight, Noorani chronicles the miscarriages of justice by which Bhagat Singh was brought to the gallows. Bhagat Singh (28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) was an Indian socialist considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. He is often referred to as "Shaheed Bhagat Singh", the word "Shaheed" meaning "martyr" in a number of Indian languages. Born into a Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, as a teenager Bhagat Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and Marxist ideologies. He became involved in numerous revolutionary organisations, and quickly rose through the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to become one of its main leaders, eventually changing its name to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police, Bhagat Singh was involved in the murder of British police officer John Saunders. He eluded efforts by the police to capture him. Together with Batukeshwar Dutt, he undertook a successful effort to throw two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting slogans of revolution. Subsequently they volunteered to surrender and be arrested. Held on this charge, he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners. During this time, sufficient evidence was brought against him for a conviction in the Saunders case, after trial by a Special Tribunal and appeal at the Privy Council in England. He was convicted and subsequently hanged for his participation in the murder, aged 23. His legacy prompted youth in India to begin fighting for Indian independence and he continues to be a youth idol in modern India, as well as the inspiration for several films. He is commemorated with a large bronze statue in the Parliament of India, as well as a range of other memorials. The Trial of Bhagat Singh Politics of Justice......Page 2 Contents......Page 9 Introduction......Page 11 1 The Man and the Phenomenon......Page 17 2 The Family and Politics......Page 25 3 Saunders Murder......Page 34 4 Bombs in the Central Assembly......Page 43 5 Hour of Trial......Page 63 6 When Jinnah Defended Bhagat Singh......Page 92 7 The Magisterial Farce......Page 113 8 Trial by Tribunal......Page 146 9 A Hand-picked Tribunal......Page 180 10 The Judgment......Page 200 11 Ritual in the Privy Council......Page 215 12 If Lord Atkin were on the Board?......Page 241 13 The Execution......Page 247 14 Gandhi's Truth......Page 257 Appendix I Text of the Complaint......Page 283 Map on page 21-22 (Site Plan of Mr. Saunders and Channan Singh Murder Case).......Page 365

on March 23, 1931, Singh And Two Associates Were Hanged, The Culmination Of The Lahore Conspiracy Case, One Of The Most Controversial, And Notorious, Trials To Take Place Under The Raj. With A Lawyer's Insight, Noorani Unveils The Facts Of The Case, Arguing That Singh And Comrades Were The Victims Of A Travesty Of Justice That Amounted To Judicial Murder.

On 23 March 1931, Bhagat Singh and two of his associates were hanged at the Lahore Central Jail. In this book, A.G.Noorani argues that Singh and his comrades were the victims of a travesty of justice that amounted to nothing short of judicial murder and chronicles the miscarriages of justice by which Bhagat Singh was brought to the gallows.