Justice Bajpai

Justice Bajpai was one of the judicial luminaries who was devoted to Shri Nathji. In one of his sermons at Allahabad in 1942, Shri Nathji said: "Whenever a good impulse comes to you, act upon it immediately." After the sermon, he found Justice Bajpai of the Allahabad High Court waiting to say something.

"Huzoor," said Justice Bajpai, "I wish to invite you to my house, and to take you there–now." "But isn't it all very sudden ?" Shri Nathji asked.

"You just said in your sermon that a good impulse must be acted upon at once!" said Justice Bajpai, "my car is waiting outside! Let us go!" "Justice Bajpai," said Shri Nathji, "at the moment, there is no thought within me to go to your house."

"Then is there a thought within you that you must not go to my house?" Justice Bajpai asked. "There is no feeling either way," said Shri Nathji, "it is neither negative nor positive." "What would you order me to do?" Justice Bajpai asked.

"I have told you of my own position," said Shri Nathji, "and I leave you to be your own judge."

Justice Bajpai thought for a while, and then he bowed before Shri Nathji and took his leave, saying: "I have come to a decision." Later that night, at around 10.30 p.m., Shri Nathji called for a car, and said to his attendants: "Justice Bajpai is calling me. I must go to him!"

"He must be sleeping at this time," they said, "he goes to sleep promptly at nine."

But Shri Nathji would not be dissuaded. As Shri Nathji's car reached Justice Bajpai's bungalow, Shri Nathji saw Justice Bajpai standing in the portico.

Justice Bajpai bowed before Shri Nathji and welcomed him into his house with a beaming smile on his face.

"Did you come out into the portico upon hearing the sound of the car?" Shri Nathji asked Justice Bajpai.

"No, Maharaj," Justice Bajpai said, "I had been waiting in the portico from a long time for your arrival! Some inner voice was telling me that you are coming. You had told me to be my own judge. And my judgment was that you would fulfil my desire."

"Every true desire must find fulfilment,"

Shri Nathji had said very frequently. No better example of this maxim could have been found anywhere else than in the episode above. Justice Bajpai awakened his children and asked them to seek Shri Nathji’s blessings. He also brought Narcissus flowers for Shri Nathji

"These flowers," said Shri Nathji, "are like eyes wide open. What a wonderful thing it would be if man could look at God with such eyes that never close! The eyes of man shut and open with each twinkle. Thus his eyes are shut for half the time he is awake. Would that man could acquire the eye of the Narcissus to see God! And not lose Him even for one moment!"

"Nazzaare ko ye jumbishe mizgaan bhi baar Hai, Nargis ki aankh se tujhe dekhaa kare koi.

The twinkling of the eyes is a burdenWhen there is a vision of beauty before them! Would that one could look upon Thee with the eye of the Narcissus!"

Full name of Justice Bajpai was Uma Shanker Bajpai. He was Judge of the Allahabad High Court from 1937 to 1943. He used to dress in very elegant western suits.  He is remembered for his decisions on what is known as the “Special Judges cases”. In the wake of the Quit India Movement, country wide disturbances took place in August 1942. Police stations and treasuries were stormed by certain sections of the public. Police personals in some cases lost their live while defending themselves. The Governor General propagated the special courts ordinance, which set up special courts for the trial of these cases. They had stated to give court sentences ranging from capital punishment to life imprisonment. A re appeal court was also formed under these spatial courts. There was growing disagreement among the lawyers who wanted the special powers of this court abolished and re appeal of such cases in federal courts. Justice Bajpai  made important judgments in this regard, which are recorded in books like “My Owm Boswell” by M. Hidayatullah – who was former Vise President and Chief Justice of India. 

He was contemporary of great judges like Sir Noshirwan Engineer, Dr. Narayan Prashad Asthana, Sir Brojendra Mitter, and was held in high esteem in the judicial circle of India.