KALASI DEVI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present Writ Petition preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India by the Petitioner, widow of late Sh. Laxman Ram, has sought mainly the following reliefs:

(2.) The Petitioner belongs to the erstwhile State of Bilaspur which merged into the State of Himachal Pradesh on and w.e.f. 12th October, 1948. The Petitioner's husband, Sh. Laxman Ram was a subject of the erstwhile Ruler of Bilaspur princely State. It is contended that before independence, 'the Indian National Congress' was fighting for the independence of the country from 'British rule'. Similar movements for the freedom of the country and for the merger of the princely States with the Indian Union were going on in almost all the States and Bilaspur was no exception. During that time, 'the Praja Mandal Movement' was being run by various 'Praja Mandals' which were affiliated to "All India States People Conference" a Central Organization, of which Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the Chairman. The object of the 'Praja Mandal Movement' in various States was to achieve independence of the country and also to get the princely States merged in the Indian Union. It is alleged that the Raja of Bilaspur made all out efforts to suppress the movement by imprisoning and ordering externment and internment of the members who participated in Praja Mandal Movement. The Raja of Bilaspur was a despot in his own State. Because of his resistance for merging his State with the Indian Union, it got delayed and ultimately it was merged on 12th October, 1948.

(3.) It is alleged that said Sh. Laxman Ram actively participated in the Praja Mandal Movement of Bilaspur State and faced the brunt of the Ruler of the State for his involvement in Satyagrah and other activities related to the merger of the State with the Indian Union. The ruler was known for issuing oral warrants of arrest. He also ordered for the arrest of Laxman Ram. But he was successful in evading the displeasure of the Ruler and went underground from the year 1946 up to October 1948 till the merger of Bilaspur State and suffered immensely during this period. During this period he also found his hide-out in District Sirmour.