Kailash Nath Katju

Kailash Nath Katju (17 June 1887 – 17 February 1968) was an Indian politician who served as Governor of Orissa and West Bengal, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Union Home Minister and Union Defence Minister. He was also one of India's most prominent lawyers. He was part of some of the most notable cases of his times, including the Indian National Army trials. Katju joined the Indian independence movement early on and spent several years incarcerated with fellow independence activists for his activities.

Early life Kailash Nath Katju was born in the princely state of Jaora (in present-day Madhya Pradesh) on 17 June 1887. His family were Kashmiri Pandits who had settled in Jaora. His father Tribhuwan Nath Katju was a former dewan of the state. Kailash Nath was educated at the Barr High School in Jaora, when he was sent to Lahore to study at the Rang Mahal School. He passed his matriculation examination from Panjab University the following year before completing his graduation from Forman Christian College, Lahore, in March 1905. In July that year, he joined the Muir Central College in Allahabad. In September 1907, he received a degree in laws from the Allahabad University, standing second in the province. In 1908, he received a master's degree in history from the same university. He began legal profession that year in Kanpur before moving to Allahabad in 1914. The ministry resigned on 2 November 1939 and soon Katju was imprisoned for 18 months. He was again imprisoned in 1942. He also served in the Constituent Assembly of India. Between 1935 and 1937, he served as the chairman of the Allahabad Municipal Board, and later as chancellor of Prayag Mahila Vidyapith, Allahabad.

Personal life Katju and his wife Rup Kishori had five children together: three sons and two daughters.

One of his daughters was Saroj Mukherjee. Katju's grandsons have also achieved distinction. His grandson Markandey (son of Shiv Nath) served as a judge in the Supreme Court of India. Another grandson is Vivek Katju, IFS, a retired diplomat who served in several sensitive positions. Tilottama Mukherji, a professor at New York University and first wife of politician and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor, is Katju's grand-daughter (daughter's daughter).

Katju had recovered from a kidney ailment he had suffered in the summer of 1967. After his condition deteriorated in early February 1968, he died at 7:55 p.m. (IST) on 17 February 1968 at his residence in Allahabad.

Publications Dr Kailash Nath Katju wrote many books, some of which are the following:: Experiments in Advocacy: A Colossus in the Courts of Justice The days I remember Reminiscences and experiments in advocacy

He also wrote many articles and delivered many memorable speeches, including the following: Some Judges and Lawyers whom I knew Speech delivered on 27 November 1966, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the High Court Building.

Founder of National Herald

He was one of the founders of Associated Journals Ltd. and one of the seven original subscribers of the Memorandum of Association of the company which published National Herald and two other newspapers.