In the annals of Indian democracy, June 1975 stands out as a defining moment—when power, law, and public sentiment collided with seismic force. In this The Sampadak Express retrospective, we revisit the courtroom drama that shook the highest office of the land and led to the imposition of the infamous Emergency.
An Unlucky Thursday for Indira Gandhi
June 12, 1975, began on a grim note for then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She learned that her trusted aide and seasoned diplomat, Durga Prasad Dhar, had succumbed to a heart attack. Just as she was processing this personal loss, a second blow arrived.
The Allahabad High Court, after four years of proceedings in the Raj Narain vs. Indira Gandhi election case, delivered its verdict. The court found Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractices and nullified her 1971 Lok Sabha win from Rae Bareli. As if that weren’t enough, Congress suffered major losses in the Gujarat assembly elections the same day.
The courtroom judgment, however, had the most immediate implications—it put her very position as Prime Minister under threat, fuelling speculation and triggering a wave of political turbulence.
The Case That Shook India: A Legal Breakdown
The Sampadak Express explains: the origins of the case trace back to Raj Narain, a socialist leader and disciple of Ram Manohar Lohia, who challenged Indira Gandhi’s massive 1971 win in Rae Bareli. Represented by senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, Narain accused Gandhi of misusing government machinery for her election campaign.
Central to the prosecution’s argument was Yashpal Kapoor, a government officer allegedly assigned to campaign duties before formally resigning. The defense insisted Kapoor resigned before engaging in political activities, but court documents contradicted that timeline. This technicality, based on the violation of electoral ethics and misuse of official position, was key to the verdict.
The Prime Minister on Trial
In a highly symbolic moment for Indian democracy, Prime Minister Gandhi appeared in person before the court. But Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha made it clear that courtroom decorum trumped protocol. Security personnel were barred, no special seating was permitted, and even senior advocates stood aside as Gandhi entered like any ordinary citizen.
Remarkably, she showed little outward emotion. The Sampadak Express notes that despite the hostile courtroom atmosphere, Gandhi faced the grilling with stoic calm on day one.
But day two brought cracks.
Cross-Examination Drama & Legal Slip-Ups
Shanti Bhushan cleverly cornered Gandhi on dates linked to her nomination. Gandhi claimed her candidacy was finalized on February 1, 1971, but Bhushan produced Congress documents showing a January 29 decision. When questioned, she confessed to not grasping “the legal language,” a statement that quickly made headlines: “PM Doesn’t Understand Legal Jargon.”
Though she recovered her composure, the damage was done. Over the coming days, pressure mounted—not just in court but also in political backchannels.
Backdoor Pressure & the Judge Who Didn’t Blink
In his memoir Courting Destiny, Bhushan revealed that attempts were made to influence Justice Sinha. From judicial colleagues hinting at promotions to CID officers frequenting his residence, the pressure was immense. Yet, the judge stood firm. To avoid further meddling, he locked himself in a room and claimed he was “away in Indore.”
Even offers of being appointed Chief Justice in another state were met with silence.
On June 12, Justice Sinha invalidated Indira Gandhi’s election. The Prime Minister was now without a parliamentary seat—her legitimacy under serious question.
And Then Came the Emergency
Within two weeks of this stunning verdict, Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency on June 25, 1975. While public rationale pointed to internal threats and disorder, historians and political analysts widely believe the judgment played a critical role in this drastic step.
The move suspended civil liberties, censored the press, and imprisoned political opponents—a 21-month chapter that remains one of the most controversial in India’s democratic history.
For more insights into the legal battles that shaped Indian politics, keep following The Sampadak Express—where history meets relevance.
