Justice Kotiswar in GK book

Free Thinker *

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh :: Pix - TSE

After the order - which says, the President of Bharat (i.e., India) is pleased to appoint Justice Kotiswar as a judge of the Supreme Court - perhaps I was the first one who went to butter Justice Kotiswar as soon as he landed from Kashmir. There were already people in Ladakh Bhawan to receive, escort and congratulate him. Most of them were his family members and security personnel.

Actually, my bitter half was unwilling to go to him before the swearing-in ceremony which was listed the next day. She said, ‘let us go after the oath taking’. I told her – that time there will be a crowd of people with butter, sweets, ghee and bouquets.

It was a pleasant surprise that Justice Kotiswar’s appointment order was issued by one Jagannath (Joint Secretary, Government of Bharat) on 16th July 2024 , during ‘Kang’festival of Lord Jagannath. Our ‘Kang’ festival is always coterminous with the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. In fact Vaishnavites in Manipur also follow the Puri tradition of the 9 days festival of Lord Jagannath , Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

The order says, “In exercise of the power conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of Bharat, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to be a judge of the Supreme Court, with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office”. This notification was issued by the Joint Secretary Jagannath Srinivasan , Ministry of Law and Justice (Appointments Division).

When we reached the Ladakh Bhawan, Justice Kotiswar was not in the room but his better half was there. She knew us well. She welcomed us warmly but she was in a bad shape as she was suffering from dehydration and loose motion. We sat down on their sofas.

I enquired, ‘where is the Justice’? She said, he must be around, he will come. Within a few minutes the SC Justice designate appeared before us. I stood up and uttered, “Sir, you have made history – Congratulations” and he smiled and replied “Yes, I will read the GK book now for UPSC and MPSC civil service aspirants “. Will be in history too, I added.

Justice Kotiswar was with us for a few minutes and he ordered tea and veg. rolls for us. He had to entertain others also, sitting in the adjoining room. We continued our free and frank conversation with his spouse. She is quite frank and open minded. Then Kotiswar’s elder daughter entered; her mother introduced her to us - she is also a practicing lawyer. Like father, like daughter.

For many it will be interesting to learn that Justice Kotiswar in the mid 1980’s was the President of Manipur Students Association Delhi (MSAD). I believe MSAD is still alive and kicking though it remains constantly under the push and pull of many strange elements. Student unions must be left free from all sorts of pressures – let them function and flourish independently.

Many may remember that my wife was practicing under Shri Kotiswar in the Guwahati High Court, Imphal Bench. That time Kotiswar was driving a White Maruti 800 (probably the first model). I don’t know whether he is still keeping it. I doubt it. Space is a problem everywhere.

When he became the High Court Judge of Manipur (after Manipur got its own High Court) made a unique judgment thereby appointing an administrator for Manipur University to perform the duty of Vice Chancellor.

Many had reservations about the verdict – but some legal luminaries like my wife think that was an exigency considering the uncertainties pertaining to the appointment of the VC. Certainly that was the need of the hour. The Administrator appointed was also an experienced administrator of PMO vintage who could run the University well.

I still remember an incident regarding a litigation filed against the then Imphal Free Press (IFP). The publisher at that time was Nishikant Sapam (present MLA, ). We went to Advocate Kotiswar on a Scooty to request him to fight the case on behalf of Imphal Free Press. We forgot to bring any money for payment.

On the way we stopped at BT Road and collected some money from ‘Tampha Store Achouba’. Kotiswar readily agreed to fight the case in defense of IFP. Then we offered him a small amount of money as an advance fee. He was reluctant to accept it because he knows both of us. Finally, we compelled him to take the humble amount.

Again, one evening many of us were at O.Sunil’s (CIC) residence on his child’s Swati puja. If I recall correctly Advocate Kotiswar came with his wife Babei and their lovely infant daughter (perhaps the present lawyer).

We were a few teetotalers at the terrace party, sipping coffee - while others were having a gala time. Now, I have joined the gala club late in life mainly with beer; I don’t know whether Justice has started with Single Malt.

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar will always be remembered as the first Supreme Court Judge from Manipur, appointed during Modi’s time.