Mirza Hameedullah Beg, Jurist
Jurist

Mirza Hameedullah Beg

Born 22 February 1913 · Jammu and Kashmir — Died 19 November 1988

Served as the 15th Chief Justice of India from January 1977 to February 1978.

Mirza Hameedullah Beg was the 15th Chief Justice of India, serving from January 1977 to February 1978.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Beg won a gold medal at St. George's Grammar School in Hyderabad for topping the Senior Cambridge H.S.L.C. Examination in 1929, a record achievement at the time.

The Story

1
🌍 Born in 1913 in Lucknow, Mirza Hameedullah Beg was the son of Mirza Samiullah Beg, Chief Justice of Hyderabad State, embedding him in a powerful legal lineage during British India.
2
🎓 In 1931, he enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, and by 1941 was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, blending deep historical studies with law and politics.
3From 1942, Beg practiced at the Allahabad High Court and became Standing Counsel for the UP Sunni Central Wakf Board, navigating complex religious and municipal legal matters.
4Elevated as a judge of Allahabad High Court in 1963, he managed criminal, civil, tax, and matrimonial jurisdictions—showing versatility rarely seen in one career.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Beg was the second Muslim Chief Justice of India after Mohammad Hidayatullah, reflecting his unique position in India's judicial history.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Mirza Hameedullah Beg was born into a Deccani Muslim family, his father being Chief Justice of Hyderabad State.
1913
📚
Education
Enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge
Joined Trinity College to study Archaeological, Anthropological, and Historical Triposes, later earning M.A. degree.
1931
📚
Education
Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn
Qualified as a barrister in England before returning to practice law in India.
1941
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Career
Started practice at Allahabad High Court
Began legal career representing clients at Allahabad and Meerut courts.
1942
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Career
Appointed Judge of Allahabad High Court
Judged criminal, civil, matrimonial, and tax cases as part of the bench.
1963
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Career
Became Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court
Took charge as Chief Justice shortly before elevation to Supreme Court.
1971
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Career
Elevated to Supreme Court Judge
Joined the Supreme Court of India, where he contributed significantly to constitutional jurisprudence.
1971
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Career
Appointed 15th Chief Justice of India
Succeeded Justice Ajit Nath Ray and served until February 1978.
1977
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Delhi
Died at age 75 after a distinguished judicial career.
1988
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He taught Constitutional Law and Equity at Meerut College from 1943 to 1946, and Law of Evidence at Allahabad University until 1963, balancing academia with legal practice.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Beg authored 194 Supreme Court judgments and sat on 562 benches, a prolific output in just seven years on the highest judicial forum.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

In the 1972 Bennett Coleman case, Beg emphasized press freedom by applying the 'reasonableness' standard to restrictions on fundamental rights.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Beg’s judgments, especially in Kesavananda Bharati and Maneka Gandhi cases, helped define the limits of parliamentary power and fundamental rights in India’s Constitution. His tenure during the Emergency period left a lasting debate on judiciary's role in protecting civil liberties. Later, as chairman of the Minorities Commission, he influenced policy discussions on minority rights in India.

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