Justice M.S. Liberhan, Lead Investigator of Babri Masjid Demolition Inquiry, Dies at 87
Former Chief Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, who oversaw the 17-year inquiry into the Ayodhya mosque demolition, passed away in Chandigarh. His extensive legal career included leadership roles at the Madras and Andhra Pradesh High Courts.
Key takeaways
- Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan passed away in Chandigarh on August 2, 2026, at the age of 87.
- He was the sole head of the 1992 commission that investigated the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
- Liberhan served as Chief Justice for both the Madras High Court and the Andhra Pradesh High Court during his career.
- His legal journey began in 1964, eventually leading to his elevation as a High Court judge in February 1987.
Manmohan Singh Liberhan, the retired jurist who presided over one of India's most protracted and significant judicial inquiries, died in Chandigarh on August 2, 2026. He was 87 years old. Rohit Sud, President of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, confirmed the news, noting that the final rites are scheduled for August 3, 2026.
A Legal Career Spanning Decades
Justice Liberhan's career in the judiciary began in 1964 when he started practicing law at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over the following decades, he became a prominent figure in legal administration. He secured a position on the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council in 1970, eventually serving as the council's secretary between January 1976 and June 1983. His judicial ascent continued with his elevation to the bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 11, 1987.
His seniority and legal acumen led to high-profile appointments across India. He took the oath as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on July 7, 1997, and subsequently transitioned to lead the Andhra Pradesh High Court starting February 28, 1998.
The Liberhan Commission Legacy
Despite his various judicial roles, Justice Liberhan is most recognized for his work on the one-man commission established to investigate the December 16, 1992, demolition of the Babri Masjid. Appointed just ten days after the event, he spent 17 years documenting the sequence of events and political climate surrounding the Ayodhya incident. The resulting Liberhan Commission report stands as a primary historical and legal document concerning the mosque's destruction.
- 1964: Commenced legal practice.
- 1987: Elevated as a High Court Judge.
- 1992: Appointed to lead the Babri Masjid inquiry.
- 1997-1998: Served as Chief Justice in Madras and Andhra Pradesh.
Source: The Hindu — National
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