Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan: Jurist, Statesman and Architect of Jammu & Kashmir’s Accession

By Ravi Rohmetra

Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan was born in a small village, Tika Nagrota, in Kangra district of present-day Himachal Pradesh. From modest beginnings, he rose to occupy the highest judicial office in the country as the third Chief Justice of India, besides serving as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at a decisive moment in history.

Rejected at birth on astrological grounds, he was brought up in a Rajput peasant family until the age of seven. Though later taken back by his parents, his father is said to have seen his face for the first time only when Mahajan was twelve, after religious rituals advised by astrologers and pandits.

After completing his middle school education in 1905, Mehar Chand moved to Lahore, where he graduated from Government College, Lahore, in 1910. Initially opting for an M.Sc. in Chemistry, he was appointed a student demonstrator, but midway through the course he was persuaded to shift to law. His father, Lala Brij Lal, a prominent advocate with an established practice at Dharamsala and a well-stocked law library, wished his only son to join the legal profession. Accordingly, in 1912, armed with an LL.B degree, Mehar Chand Mahajan began practice at Dharamsala under his father’s guidance.

During his student days in Lahore, Mahajan was deeply influenced by the speeches and ideas of national leaders such as Lala Lajpat Rai, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Lokmanya Tilak, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Swami Shraddhanand, Mahatma Hans Raj, Principal Dewan Chand, Lala Sain Das and Dr Gokal Chand Narang. These formative influences transformed him from a traditionally orthodox Hindu into a committed Arya Samajist, a movement with which he remained closely associated throughout his life.

Mahajan took to the legal profession with exceptional zeal and discipline. As a young lawyer, he was known for meticulous preparation—carefully studying briefs, verifying facts with clients, examining court records and devising detailed legal strategies. After practicing in Dharamsala and later in the district courts of Gurdaspur, he shifted to Lahore in 1918, where his forensic skills soon earned him prominence. Alongside his flourishing practice, he taught law as a part-time lecturer at Law College, Lahore, from 1922 for nine years.

Member of the Radcliffe Commission

Justice Mahajan was invited to serve on the Radcliffe Boundary Commission, tasked with demarcating the boundaries between India and Pakistan at the time of Partition. Though initially reluctant—believing the commission to be largely symbolic—he eventually accepted the assignment. His inclusion reflected public confidence in his impartiality, judicial wisdom and integrity.

Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir (1947–48)

The most challenging and historically significant phase of Mahajan’s career was his brief tenure as Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 15 October 1947 to March 1948. During this turbulent period, Pakistan, with the complicity of its leadership and sections of the British administration, had begun organised tribal invasions and economic blockades against the State. Essential supplies were cut off, infiltration intensified, and Poonch emerged as a major flashpoint.

The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir remained undecided on accession. While Pakistan pressed for accession to it, Lord Mountbatten advised a decision based on the will of the people. Internally, the Muslim Conference favoured Pakistan, whereas the National Conference leaned towards India. Sheikh Abdullah sought political power but lacked the Maharaja’s confidence, while Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru trusted him.

It was amid this chaos that Mahajan assumed office. After consulting Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Lord Mountbatten, he took charge on 15 October 1947. Within less than two weeks, on 27 October 1947, the Maharaja formally acceded to India—an outcome widely attributed to Mahajan’s pragmatic counsel and firm resolve. Crucially, he ensured that Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar before the accession was finalised, thereby thwarting Pakistan’s plan to seize the Valley.

Mahajan’s insistence on immediate military action was unprecedented. When hesitation was expressed in Delhi, he famously warned that unless troops were flown in at once, he would be compelled to negotiate with Pakistan. This decisive intervention resulted in Indian forces landing in Srinagar on 27 October 1947, saving the city from imminent capture.

Despite severe shortages of manpower and resources, Mahajan maintained law and order during widespread communal violence, protected minorities, facilitated the evacuation of Muslims wishing to migrate to Pakistan, and attempted to restore public confidence. His tenure was marked by administrative firmness, moral courage and a deep sense of responsibility.

Conflict with Sheikh Abdullah and Exit from Kashmir

A persistent challenge for Mahajan was Sheikh Abdullah’s attempt to concentrate power and displace him as Prime Minister. While the Maharaja continued to repose full confidence in Mahajan, political pressure from Delhi mounted. Despite Mahajan successfully rebutting false allegations and even convincing Mahatma Gandhi of the correctness of his actions, he was eventually relieved of office in March 1948, following consultations between Nehru and Sardar Patel.

Judicial Career and Chief Justiceship

Mahajan went on to serve as Adviser to the Maharaja of Bikaner, before returning to the judiciary. He was appointed Judge of the Federal Court in October 1948, which became the Supreme Court of India in January 1950. He participated in several landmark constitutional decisions during the Court’s formative years and headed special benches to dispose of large backlogs efficiently.

On 4 January 1954, Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan became the Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice Patanjali Sastri. Though his tenure was brief, he sought reforms such as an All-India Judicial Service and an All-India Bar—ideas ahead of their time.

Educational and Social Contributions

After retirement, Mahajan devoted himself to reorganising and revitalising the D.A.V. College Trust, with which he had been associated since 1919. Under his leadership, several D.A.V. institutions across Punjab, Delhi and Haryana were rebuilt and strengthened after the disruptions of Partition.

He also played a crucial role in rebuilding Punjab University, offering guidance during its post-Partition re-establishment. He remained actively associated with the University until his final day, passing away after suffering a heart attack while attending a Senate meeting at Chandigarh.

Legacy and Recognition

Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan remains a towering figure in India’s legal, political and educational history. His role in securing Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, his contribution to constitutional jurisprudence, and his lifelong commitment to education mark him as a statesman of rare integrity and vision.

It is a matter of pride for the people of Jammu that a commemorative postal stamp was released in his honour on 31 December 2017 at the India International Centre, New Delhi, acknowledging his services as the former Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the third Chief Justice of India.

(Ravi Rohmetra is a freelance writer and a social worker and can be reached at Mob: 9419652999; Email: ravirohmetra@gmail.com)