49
NO MAN SHOULD BE THE JUDGE IN HIS OWN CASE
New Delhi. December 10. 1951.
Dr. Ambedkar, former Law Minister of India, and the Chief Architect of the Constitution, today appeared in the Supreme Court, as a practising lawyer. He would be shortly arguing the petitions of some Zamindars.
Mr. P. R. Das, who was advancing his arguments almost thought today, at one stage made a reference to Dr. Ambedkar’s presence in the Court. He told the Court that a particular phrase existed in the draft constitution but was later deleted at the instance of Dr. Ambedkar.
“Dr. Ambedkar” said Mr. Das, “is here. Your Lordship must call upon him to explain why those words were deleted”. (Loud Laughter).—UPI.” [1]
New Delhi, March 6.*
Dr. Ambedkar, continuing his arguments before the Supreme Court, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh zamindars, said that the State should not be the judge in determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the zamindars.
Relying on American doctrines, Dr. Ambedkar said that according to jurisprudence no man should be the judge in his own case.
Dr. Ambedkar was challenging the Uttar Pradesh zamindars and Estate Abolition Act on behalf of some zamindars petitioners.
To a question from the Chief Justice as to what should be the remedy if State fixed the compensation, the counsel said that the Court should declare the compensation fixed by the State as arbitrary.
Dr. Ambedkar said that the question of fixing compensation should be referred to an independent body and not to the State itself who sought to acquire the private properties.
“The compensation fixed by the Uttar Pradesh Government was illusory and they would not get anything at all after the entire amount of debt was paid from the amount”, he added—P.T.I.” [2]
��
1 : The Free Press Journal, dated 11th December 1951.
2 : The Free Press Journal, dated 5th March 1951,
*One of the date seems to be incorrect—Editors.