‘CHIEF JUSTICE M.M. PUNCHHI – A BIG MAN
BUT NO EGO’
BY
J.L. GUPTA
MR. Madan Mohan
Punchhi was a known name at the Bar when I joined in the year 1963. Ultimately,
we became almost neighbours in Sector – 8, CHANDIGARH. House Nos. 112 and 160.
He was the big brother. Always generous, gracious and kind. One day, he asked
me and Mr. R.N. Narula to accompany him to Ambala where he was going to argue
an Appeal. We did. After the case, he took us to The KWALITY for LUNCH. And I
had my first glass of BEER. ON THE WAY BACK, he stopped the car to pick up some
farm fresh sugar-canes and items for Salad. Next day, Ravi & I were with
him at his house in the evening. A big house. Nine cows with home grown green
fodder. A look at the table showed that the MILK was being consumed at home only.
I had to cross layers of Butter before being able to reach a piece of
vegetable. Big bowls of creamy curd. All very rich. No wonder, when a person
asked him ‘Sir! How much do you weigh?’ – the response was –
“Not much. Just 1 maund & 80 Kgs.” And yes. He carried
it all very well. He was different from the others. His peers and Juniors alike.
He stood out amongst the Elite. Always Dignified and Elegant. Never petty.
I have had some personal experiences. Having met a few
times, he could see my appetite and thirst for butter milk. So, one morning on
hearing the sound of a car, I came out. What did I see? Justice Punchhi with a bucket full of butter milk. Can
you believe this? And a few days later, he casually drove in. Saw me
instructing the labour to properly dig the ground and lay the lawn. He quietly
went home and came back driving the Tractor. Himself ploughed the land with the
finesse of an expert in about half an hour. A job which was threatening to go
on for days was done in a few minutes. And all very well done. He combined the
best of a farmer and a legal craftsman in himself. Played the roles with equal
ease.
When Mr. Ram Jethmalani’s book – ‘SMALL MEN BIG EGOS’
WAS doing the rounds, Mr. Justice
Punchhi’s elevation to the Supreme Court had brought a
breath of fresh air. Relaxing and refreshing for all sections of society. Having reached the pinnacle in Judicial
hierarchy, his feet had remained glued to the ground. He was the big brother.
To everyone. The loss is irreparable. Shall there ever be another like him? In
the for-seeable future.
Time shall always
find someone to fulfill the popular desires and dreams.
An enjoyable tale of Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi as told by an admiring "younger brother" Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta. I loved it. Thank you Uncleji for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNo Uncleji, there never shall be the generous, gracious and kind “lassi wala” MM Punchhi around but there may be others alike, waiting to be publicized by an admiring "younger brother" with time at hand to tell their story.
“Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.”
― L.M. Montgomery
Jai Hind
Wish a bit of Punchi in the minds of those big Sahebs who have swollen ego and contempt for fellow humans!
ReplyDeleteA big man but no ego... one must not shy away from difficult issues because of public pressure, after all public opinion is one of the easier things to manipulate. At the same time we can trust that over time balance has an opportunity to return... democracy is no guarantee of correct action, it's a work in process, and to defend the current status is neither correct nor wise... it's just the current status. Political Correctness is never a valid yardstick except in an election year ; )
ReplyDeleteIt seems that you have taken a short break in your articles... I hope all is well with you as I find your thoughts, while not always relevant to my situation (different country / different specifics), are interesting and worth reading.
It's not position, name or fame but genuine attitude of giving in whatever way one can, makes him great.
ReplyDelete