PNB
Chief Justice of India

P. N. Bhagwati

Born 21 December 1921 · Gujarat — Died 15 June 2017

Introduced public interest litigation and absolute liability concepts in Indian judiciary.

Prafullachandra Natwarlal Bhagwati was the 17th Chief Justice of India, serving from 12 July 1985 until his retirement on 20 December 1986. He introduced the concepts of public interest litigation and absolute liability in India, and for this reason is held, along with Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer, to be a pioneer of judicial activism in the country.

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A detail that
surprised us

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P. N. Bhagwati went underground for four months in 1942 during India’s freedom struggle before becoming the longest-serving Supreme Court judge in Indian history.

The Story

1
In 1942, a young P. N. Bhagwati went underground for four months after courting arrest during the Indian Independence Movement, a dramatic chapter that shaped his fierce commitment to justice.
2
🏛️ In July 1973, Bhagwati took his seat as a Supreme Court judge, beginning a tenure that would see him author 342 judgments and sit on 820 benches, the longest such judicial career in India.
3⚖️ As Chief Justice from July 1985 to December 1986, he boldly introduced public interest litigation, opening the floodgates for ordinary citizens to approach courts on matters affecting the public at large.
4🔥 Bhagwati’s concept of absolute liability redefined corporate accountability in India, making businesses strictly responsible for harm without excuses—a legal revolution still cited in environmental and industrial disaster cases.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1942, Bhagwati went underground for four months after courting arrest during the Indian Independence Movement, showing his early personal sacrifice for the nation.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Gujarat
Prafullachandra Natwarlal Bhagwati was born in Gujarat, into a family with a strong judicial legacy, his father being a Supreme Court judge.
1921
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Other
Went underground during Independence Movement
At age 21, Bhagwati went underground for four months after courting arrest during the Indian Freedom struggle, a formative experience.
1942
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Career
Judge of Gujarat High Court
Appointed judge of the Gujarat High Court, marking his rise in the Indian judicial system.
1960
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Career
Supreme Court Judge appointment
Bhagwati joined the Supreme Court of India, beginning a tenure that would see him become the longest-serving judge in the court's history.
1973
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Career
ADM Jabalpur Habeas Corpus Case
Bhagwati was part of the majority in the controversial Emergency-era judgment denying habeas corpus rights, a decision he later regretted deeply.
1976
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Career
Became Chief Justice of India
Bhagwati took office as the 17th Chief Justice of India, introducing public interest litigation and absolute liability doctrines.
1985
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Career
Retirement as Chief Justice
Retired after a landmark judicial career that transformed Indian constitutional law and judicial activism.
1986
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Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Received India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, for his public affairs contributions.
2007
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Death
Death of P. N. Bhagwati
Passed away, leaving behind a complex legacy of judicial innovation and controversy.
2017
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Bhagwati authored 342 Supreme Court judgments and sat on 820 benches, marking the longest tenure of any Supreme Court judge in India.

Wikipedia
02 / 06
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He introduced public interest litigation, a radical concept that allowed ordinary citizens to file lawsuits protecting the public good for the first time in India.

Wikipedia
03 / 06
💡SURPRISING

Bhagwati publicly apologized decades later for the ADM Jabalpur judgment of 1976, calling it a disgrace and the Supreme Court’s shame during the Emergency.

Mylaw.net via research
“

I practically rewrote Part III and Part IV of the Constitution. I moulded the law. I still remember those days. It was a thrilling experience.

— P. N. Bhagwati

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Walk The Talk with Justice PN Bhagwati
More from this archive
Walk The Talk with Justice PN Bhagwati
01
Walk The Talk with Justice PN Bhagwati
IN CONVERSATION - JUSTICE P. N. BHAGWATI
02
IN CONVERSATION - JUSTICE P. N. BHAGWATI
IN CONVERSATION - JUSTICE P. N. BHAGWATI
03
IN CONVERSATION - JUSTICE P. N. BHAGWATI
"Uncovering the Untold Story of India's Justice System: The Legacies of PN Bhagwati and HR Khanna"
04
"Uncovering the Untold Story of India's Justice System: The Legacies of PN Bhagwati and HR Khanna"
Former Chief Justice of India, Justice PN Bhagwati passes away
05
Former Chief Justice of India, Justice PN Bhagwati passes away
Justice P. N. BHAGWATI JI, Father of Public Interest Litigation BY VRAJ SHAH
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Justice P. N. BHAGWATI JI, Father of Public Interest Litigation BY VRAJ SHAH
President Mukherjee releases the Book of Justice Bhagwati's Memoirs 'My Tryst with Justice' (Part 1)
07
President Mukherjee releases the Book of Justice Bhagwati's Memoirs 'My Tryst with Justice' (Part 1)
JUSTICE BHAGWATI ON HIS CAREER PART-1 #shorts #short #shortvideo #reel #subscribe #law #lawyer
08
JUSTICE BHAGWATI ON HIS CAREER PART-1 #shorts #short #shortvideo #reel #subscribe #law #lawyer
Former Chief Justice PN Bhagwati passes away - TV9
09
Former Chief Justice PN Bhagwati passes away - TV9
President Mukherjee releases the Book of Justice Bhagwati's Memoirs 'My Tryst with Justice' (Part 3)
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President Mukherjee releases the Book of Justice Bhagwati's Memoirs 'My Tryst with Justice' (Part 3)

🌱 What changed because of them

Bhagwati’s introduction of public interest litigation transformed the Indian judiciary into a more accessible institution that empowers citizens to seek justice on societal issues. His doctrine of absolute liability established a strict legal standard for industrial harm, influencing environmental laws and corporate regulation across India. Together, these innovations sparked a wave of judicial activism that reshaped constitutional law and citizen rights.

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