Rajinder Singh Sarkaria
Encyclopedia
Ranjit Singh Sarkaria was an Indian
Supreme Court
justice from September 17, 1973 until January 15, 1981.http://www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/rssarkaria.htm
Sarkaria was born on January 16, 1916. He attended Mahendra College in Patiala and later obtained an LL.B. from the Government College Lahore, in what is now Pakistan
. Upon obtaining a law degreem Sarkaria worked in Patiala as pleader. He later took a position as an advocate of the Patiala High Court in 1940. Sarkaria was one of two people on a committee created by the state government of the former Patiala and East Punjab States Union
(Pepsu) whose role was to translate the new Constitution of India
into the Punjabi language
.
Sarkaria served as a judge
on the Punjab and Haryana High Court
from June 13, 1967 until September 26, 1967. He also served as a puisne
judge from September 27, 1967 to September 15, 1967.
Sarkaria was appointed to the Supreme Court of India
on September 17, 1973. He served on the court until his retirement on January 15, 1981.
Following his retirement, Sarkaria was commissioned in 1983 by the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to study the relationships between the central and state governments of India. The committee became known as the Sarkaria Commission
, since it was headed by R.S. Sarkaria. The Sarkaria Commission submitted its findings in 1988.
Additionally, Sarkaria served as the former chairman of the Press Council of India
.
Ranjit Singh Sarkaria died of a "prolonged illness" on Friday, October 12, 2007, in Chandigarh
, India at the age of 91.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Supreme Court
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
justice from September 17, 1973 until January 15, 1981.http://www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in/judges/bio/rssarkaria.htm
Sarkaria was born on January 16, 1916. He attended Mahendra College in Patiala and later obtained an LL.B. from the Government College Lahore, in what is now Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Upon obtaining a law degreem Sarkaria worked in Patiala as pleader. He later took a position as an advocate of the Patiala High Court in 1940. Sarkaria was one of two people on a committee created by the state government of the former Patiala and East Punjab States Union
Patiala and East Punjab States Union
The Patiala and East Punjab States Union was a state of India from 1948-56. It was created by combining eight princely states: Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Kalsia, Malerkotla and Nalagarh. The state was inaugurated on July 15, 1948 and formally became a state of India in 1950. The...
(Pepsu) whose role was to translate the new Constitution of India
Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
into the Punjabi language
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
.
Sarkaria served as a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the Punjab and Haryana High Court
Punjab and Haryana High Court
Punjab and Haryana High Court is a common High Court for both the States of Punjab and Haryana and Union territory of Chandigarh, in India. It is situated at Chandigarh, the capital of the States of Punjab and Haryana. The sanctioned strenghth of this High Court is 68 judges consisting of Chief...
from June 13, 1967 until September 26, 1967. He also served as a puisne
Puisne
Puisne is a legal term of art used mainly in British English meaning "inferior in rank." It is pronounced like the word puny, and the word, so spelled, has become an ordinary adjective meaning weak or undersized.The judges and barons of the common law courts at...
judge from September 27, 1967 to September 15, 1967.
Sarkaria was appointed to the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
on September 17, 1973. He served on the court until his retirement on January 15, 1981.
Following his retirement, Sarkaria was commissioned in 1983 by the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to study the relationships between the central and state governments of India. The committee became known as the Sarkaria Commission
Sarkaria Commission
Sarkaria Commission was set up in June 1983 by the central government of India. The Sarkaria Commission's charter was to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments in the country and suggest changes within the framework of Constitution of India. The...
, since it was headed by R.S. Sarkaria. The Sarkaria Commission submitted its findings in 1988.
Additionally, Sarkaria served as the former chairman of the Press Council of India
Press Council of India
The Press Council Of India is a statutory body in India that governs the conduct of the print media. It is one of the most important bodies that sustain democracy, as it has supreme power in regards to the media to ensure that freedom of speech is maintained. However, it is also empowered to hold...
.
Ranjit Singh Sarkaria died of a "prolonged illness" on Friday, October 12, 2007, in Chandigarh
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a union territory of India that serves as the capital of two states, Haryana and Punjab. The name Chandigarh translates as "The Fort of Chandi". The name is from an ancient temple called Chandi Mandir, devoted to the Hindu goddess Chandi, in the city...
, India at the age of 91.