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MR. JUSTICE KAN SINGH PARIHAR
A LEGAL LUMINARY

There are many who are privileged by birth, but there are very few who place their heritage at the service of the people. Justice Shri Kan Singh Ji Parihar spent his life in the service of people, in the service of justice and in the service of law, whether as a Naib Hakim, a Government Advocate, a Judge of High Court, Chairman of an enquiry commission for emergency excesses or as a Vice-chancellor of University of Jodhpur, or now, as an honest citizen devoting much of his time in reading and in the service of the downtrodden and persons in need individually or through voluntary organisations. 

                   As a Justice of High Court of Rajasthan, Shri Kan Singh Ji Parihar retired on August 30, 1975 after successfully serving the court for more than 11 years. We know that the judges have a dynamic role in the dispensation of justice, a complete operation that is wide-ranging and capable of specific and general application, and includes interpretation of law and assessment of facts. A great judge in a developing country should develop law and justice with a national vision, architectural perception and social justice mission.  

                   Shri Kan Singh Ji utilized these great qualities while administrating justice, in all types of cases civil, criminal, service and constitutional. His judgments speak for his own style of writing, for the clarity of exposition of legal principle, the marshalling of facts and balanced and sound approach in proper perspective. 

                   Thus every judgment delivered by Justice Kan Singh Ji Parihar became famous for its scholarly, originality, depth and clarity. His pronouncements will remain monuments in the judicial annals of the High Court of Rajasthan. Truly, he is a legal luminary.

FEW OF THE FAMOUS REPORTED CASES ARE MENTIONED BELOW

In Bhanwar Lal vs. Dhonraj (AIR 1973 Rajasthan 212), The famous and leading case in the field of Nuisance a branch of Torts Law. In this case Justice Kan Singh Ji surveyed the prevailing law in India. Justice Kan Singh Ji laid down the law of Nuisance. After analysing the case law, Justice Kan Singh Ji propounded the law as follows:

     “The term ‘nuisance’ is incapable of an exact definition. But its concept is well understood. There must be interference with the use or enjoyment of land, or some right over or in connection with it, causing damage to the plaintiff. The forms of this are innumerable. But whatever be the type, it does not follow that any harm constitutes a nuisance. The whole law on the subject really represents a balancing of conflicting interests. It is repeatedly said in nuisance cases that the rule is sic  utero tuo ut alienum non laedas but the maxim is not very informative. In fact the law repeatedly recognizes that a man may use his own so as to injure another without committing a nuisance. It is only if such use is unreasonable that it becomes unlawful. Reasonableness plays an important part in determining whether or not there has been a nuisance. ’’ (This case is prescribed as a leading case on the law of Tort in Delhi University).

     In Shivram Singh vs. State of Rajasthan (1969 RLW 423), Justice Kan Singh Ji very well interpreted the powers of High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India and power of the former States of India before the constitution of India came into force. He was of the opinion that order of the Rajpramukh of Matsya Union before constitution-escheating jagir was in nature of sovereign power and political in character and thus power of High Court under Art. 226 can not be invoked.

                In Krishan Lal Godara vs. State of Rajasthan (1696 RLW 597), He was of firm opinion that non supply of copies of statements and affording no opportunities for inspection in preliminary enquiry and denial of right of effective cross examination would result in vitiating Departmental enquiries.

               In Sakri vs. Chhanwarlal (AIR 1975 Raj. 134), Justice Kan Singh Ji very emphatically scrutinized and maintained the ‘’Duty of Court’’ relating to reconciliation in the matter of granting any of the relief recognized under section 23(1) of the Hindu Marriage Act. 1955. He stressed that ‘’ While making of an endeavor to bring about reconciliation, even at the beginning of the proceeding may be desirable for requirement of the law, will be amply certified if before the final stage of the case, namely the granting relief, the court makes such an endeavor. The effort has to be a reasonable human effort and must be made in every case where a relief as contemplated by section 23(1) has to be granted. The court remanded the case to the trial court on the ground that the aforesaid duty had been over looked by the court. This is a humanistic approach.

In Vinay Kumar Sahu vs. State of Rajasthan

In Guman Singh vs. State of Rajasthan

In Habeas Corpus case (15 July 1975 during emergency)                                

Professor R. K. SINHA
Faculty of Law
University of Jodhpur