Senior Advocate Chander M. Lall launched his highly anticipated book, “At the Pleasure of His Majesty: I.M. Lall and The Case That Shook the Crown,” on Tuesday at the Delhi High Court. Published by Rupa Publications, the book delves into the remarkable life and legal battle of Inder Mohan Lall, ICS, the author’s grandfather. The launch was attended by esteemed guests, including Hon’ble Justice Hima Kohli, Hon’ble Justice Sanjay Karol, Hon’ble Justice Manmohan, Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Sanjay Kishan Kaul, and Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog. The foreword for the book was penned by P Chidambaram, the Hon’ble MP.
The evening unfolded with a gripping narrative exploring the life of Inder Mohan Lall. Surviving the siege of Kut Al Amara during WWI, I.M. Lall challenged the British Raj in a landmark legal battle in the case of the High Commissioner for India and the High Commissioner for Pakistan vs. I.M. Lall, laying the foundation of Article 311 of the Constitution of India.
During the book launch, Chander M. Lall sheds light on the untold tales, from battlefield heroics to courtroom triumphs, shaping not only I.M. Lall’s legacy but also influencing the very fabric of service law in India. He emphasized, “Who knows of a man (i) who fought in the First World War and barely survived a deadly siege, (ii) who self-educated himself to eventually become a coveted ICS officer, (iii) who put his job on the line to protect India’s heritage, (iv) who did not cow down to the injustice of the Raj, (v) who fought the might of the colonizer, his employer, for a greater cause, (vi) whose family was on the wrong side of the invisible line at the time of partition when he was in England fighting his case in the Privy Council, (vi) whose victory contributed to Article 311 of the Indian Constitution, and last but not the least (vii) who would return victorious and contribute to helping the refugees from Pakistan as the Chief Claims Commissioner? I know of such a man. I am proud to be his grandson and am thrilled I could document all this by this work of love. And who knows of a man who, at the young age of 18, during partition, had the unenviable task of saving his family and helping them cross the line from Lahore to Amritsar? In the attempt, alas the family would lose a daughter/sister. I know of such a man, and I am proud to call him my father. This book is a first-hand account of history being made about an unsung patriot whose song must be sung. I hope the readers enjoy the music.
The launch event welcomed a delegation from Mianwali Colony, established by I.M. Lall. They paid homage to his legacy and profound service to refugees. His tribute and contribution as the Chief Claims Commissioner, assisting refugees from Pakistan, were emphasized during the event. The delegation expressed gratitude for his tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to securing justice, significantly impacting the lives of those affected by the partition.
Chander M. Lall is a prominent senior advocate practicing law at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India. As the founder of Lall & Sethi law firm, he specializes in intellectual property law and has authored publications for the International Trademark Association.
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