The New York Times in an editorial dated April 30, 1976 stated “if India ever finds its way back to freedom and democracy, someone will surely erect a monument to Justice H.R. Khanna of the Supreme Court.” We did win back our freedom and democracy in March 1977 but we have not yet built a monument. However without a monument Khanna became a national hero and has found a secure place in our hearts because of the unamendable essential feature of his own basic structure, courage, which he displayed in ample measure.

It is during emergencies, when the power of the state is vastly expanded that a citizen needs judicial protection most, and has to depend upon bold judges like Justice Khanna, a man whom the lust of office did not kill and the spoils of office could not buy. It is extraordinary that wherever and whenever Justice Khanna is remembered there is an air of freshness, an aura of goodness and decency because the actions of the good and the just forever smell sweet and blossom in the dust.

Khanna departed from our midst in late February last year. It befits all who value freedom and cherish courage to remember Justice Khanna, a noble soul and one of the greatest judges of India.

The writer is former Attorney General of India