Justice Rangilala and the Bar Council of Indore

Justice Rangila who was at that time a judge on the Punjab High Court at Lahore,  met Shri Nathji in 1935 when he  came along with R.R. Khanna at Rialto Theatre at Mussoorrie to listen to Shri Nathji’s lecture. Even as Khanna was introducing Justice Rangilal to Him, Shri Nathji said:
“Rangilalji aap rangne aaye hain yaa ranvaane aaye hain?”
“Have you come before me to receive my colour oh have you dyes yourself already?”
And the learned judge gave an answer that won Shri Nathji’s heart:
“Huzoor agar rangaa hoon to certificate deejiye, Aur naheen rangaa to rang daaliye, Magar bhatkaayiyegaa naheen!”
“If I have dyed myself then give me a certificate. If not then dye me with your color! Only don’t let me go astray”

There after a deep spiritual bond was established between Shri Nathji and Justice Rangilal, who began to come for Shri Nathji’s darshan and blessings at Kahkashan Cottage. He had fallen in love with Shri Nathji in a relationship for all eternity.

Once Shri Nathji came in form of a stranger and saved his life when Justice Rungilal was sick in a hotel room in Europe. Shri Nathji’s pastimes with Justice Rungilal are recorder in the Mahagranth - God Incarnate on page 312 -316, where we can read it at length. 
Justice Rangilala was a tall and sophisticated gentleman. During the First World War, Lala Rangi Lal was a Sub Judge. He assisted the Deputy Commissioner in collecting war fund or war loan and getting recruits for war from Punjab. He later become the Judge of Lahore High Court (The photo of the Lahore High Court is given on the right) Later he joined services of the Maharaja of Mewar. The State of Mewar prior to its merger in the Domain of India had well defined system of separation of judicial powers  since 20^th August, 1880 with highest court of Justice known as “Mahendrajsabha” equivalent to Letters Patent High Courts at Bombay, Calcutta & Madras which functioned at UdaipurThen on 1^st April, 1938 a Chief Court was established at Udaipur as the Final Court of Appeal of Mewar headed by Justice Rangilal, and two other judges.

Later he was invited to become the Chief Justice of the Indore High Court. An interesting episode took place with the coming of justice Rangilal as Chief Justice. Rangilal was a stickler for forms and wanted everything to be done on time. Before Rangilal came to Indore, lawyers were not particular in adhering to the restrictions about their dress, but soon after he joined as Chief Justice, Rangilal compelled every lawyer to be dressed in white trouser, black coat and a necktie and would not tolerate any lapse in that behalf. Even in Court, Rangilal wanted the arguments to be brief and to the point without unnecessary citation of authorities. He insisted on the facts being stated not only in the chronological order, but without any unnecessary details. He was very impatient with counsel who could not come up to his expectations. Quite often, he promptly corrected mistakes of language and even of pronunciation and occasionally made counsel repeat after him the correct pronunciation of a word. Many of the old stalwarts at the Bar who could not adapt themselves to this new pattern, found it difficult to work in his court. On the other hand many of the youngsters who were quick enough to understand what exactly Rangilal wanted and were able to adapt themselves to the changing times, found encouragement in his court thereby giving rise to considerable heart burning in the affected quarters. Justice Rangilal never intended to insult any one, but his zest to improve the standard of advocacy and the working of the courts, make him intolerant to the point of being discourteous.
The discontent slowly gathered momentum, which led eventually to the Bar passing a resolution protesting against the treatment being meted by the Chief Justice. But it seems that here again Shri Nathji hand worked in protecting the honour of His devotee. The Resolution was intended to be submitted to the Cabinet, but, unfortunately for the Bar, its Secretary apart from forwarding the said resolution to the then Prime Minister and the Law Minister of the State, accidently handed over a copy thereof to the Registrar of the High Court for being placed before the Chief Justice. Thus Chief Justice Rangilal got to see it at his table before the other copy got to the cabinet. He immediately resigned his office and went back Lahore. His sudden departure created great chaos at the court. The judges of the High Court saw this as great insult to their Chief Justice, thus they issued a contempt notice to the Bar Association. The matter was heard in Court and Bar Association decided to take the expert help of Shri V.C. Sarvate, a veteran member of the Bar who had long back left the profession to join the freedom movement, who specially came and appeared for the Bar. It was contended on behalf of the Bar Association that a complaint made to the Higher Authorities does not constitute contempt of the court. The learned judges, however, held that the communication of the resolution to the Registrar was wholly uncalled for, and constituted contempt. The Bar Association was held guilty of contempt and was sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500/-. They were made to apologise for their conduct. Justice Rangilal didn’t accept the appeal to return back and take office. This becomes one of the rarest of the rare cases in history when a Bar Association of a court is held guilty of contempt by the same court itself. Justice Rangilal brought about a marked change in the judicial administration of the Indore State and the working of the courts as also in the style and method of advocacy. He was highly cultured, courteous, well dressed and sophisticated (Like Shri Nathji) The awe he inspired by his great learning and personality enabled the Indore High Court to reach greater heights.   

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Priya Nath Mehta -  Fascinating! First time I saw these legendary figures!