The Other Side of Justice

A no-holds-barred narrative – probably the first of its kind – that brings alive the edifying and not-so-edifying goings-on in India’s ‘temples of justice’

In February 1994, Justice S. S. Sodhi found himself transferred from the Punjab and Haryana High Court after a run-in with the then chief minister of Haryana. He was moved to Allahabad in what is typically described as a ‘punishment posting’, which many of his contemporaries judiciously avoided. Little did Justice Sodhi realize what lay in store for him?

Once renowned for its decorum, etiquette and ethical conduct, the Allahabad High Court and several other courts in Uttar Pradesh had been virtually hijacked by a band of belligerent lawyers who had scant respect for the law. These lawyers had attained the dubious distinction of being able to browbeat the judges at will. Some of the judges too were not entirely above board. Justice Sodhi made serious efforts to rectify the situation; as judge and later chief justice, he utilized his tenure in Allahabad to clear the cobwebs, streamline the system and navigate the politico-legal labyrinth he found himself in. In the process, he encountered caste prejudices, had his religion and character questioned contested arbitrary judicial diktats and tackled low cunning that masqueraded as legal wisdom. During his term in office, he made enemies – who deprived him of an elevation to the Supreme Court – and many friends too.

This is Justice Sodhi’s story, told with remarkable candour and objectivity. A compelling – and disturbing – examination of the Allahabad High Court, this volume provides a rare glimpse into the sordid episodes that usually lie hidden on ‘the other side of justice’.