In the corridors of India’s legal history, few names command the same respect
as Chief Justice Nasirullah Beg. A man of unwavering principles, profound
intellect, and quiet strength, his life was a living embodiment of justice,
morality, and service. Long after his judgments faded from headlines, the
values he upheld continue to resonate through institutions, legal minds, and
the people whose lives he touched deeply.
Early Life Influence
Born into a family steeped in legal tradition, Nasirullah Beg was deeply
influenced by his father, Mirza Samiullah Beg, a towering figure in his own
right, who served as Chief Justice of Hyderabad and Governor of Nagpur during
British rule. From an early age, young Nasirullah was immersed in discussions
of law, ethics, and governance. The courtroom, for him, was not just a career
aspiration, it was a calling. Encouraged by his father, he pursued legal
studies at Oxford University, where he distinguished himself with academic
excellence and returned to India as a barrister ready to serve
Landmark Judgement
Justice Nasirullah Beg served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court,
one of India’s oldest and most prestigious judicial institutions. His tenure
came at a critical juncture in India’s development as a modern democratic
state, when the role of the judiciary as a check on legislative and executive
power was being constantly tested. Amidst these pressures, Justice Beg stood
firm, anchored not only in the Constitution, but in an unshakeable belief in
the sanctity of justice.
His rise through the judicial ranks was marked by a reputation for
thoroughness, compassion, and integrity. But it was as Chief Justice that his
true impact unfolded. His court was not a place of cold legalism; it was a
space where the spirit of the law was upheld with as much care as its letter.
His judgments often revealed not just legal brilliance, but deep moral clarity.
One of his most courageous rulings involved a rare case where the Indian
Parliament had directly punished a citizen; an action that fell outside the
usual domain of judicial oversight. Most would have steered clear of challenging
such a precedent, but not Justice Beg. With calm resolve and constitutional
wisdom, he overturned the punishment, reaffirming the judiciary’s power to
review even parliamentary actions when justice demands it. His judgment was not
confrontational, it was deeply reasoned, rooted in constitutional fidelity. In
doing so, he fortified the idea that no authority, however high, stands above
the principles of justice and due process.
This landmark ruling remains a testament to the courage and independence that
defined his approach to law. It reminded the nation that the judiciary is not a
subordinate arm of governance, but its conscience, a guardian of the rights and
dignity of every citizen.
He remains a shining example of how the law, at its best, is an act of service,
a sacred trust placed in the hands of those strong enough to carry it with
grace.
Justice Beg’s towering legal intellect was matched by his gift for oratory.
During the centenary celebrations of the Allahabad High Court on November 26,
1966, attended by President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, he delivered a speech at the
Opening Ceremony of the Centenary Exhibition that is still remembered for its
depth and eloquence. More than a ceremonial address, it was a reflection on the
moral responsibility carried by those who interpret the law. Listeners remember
the speech not only for its literary beauty but for its powerful call to uphold
truth above all else.
Beautiful Bond of Father & Daughter
For India, he was a legal luminary. For his family, especially his daughter, he
was a beacon of wisdom and love.
Beyond his public life, Justice Beg was also a man of profound personal wisdom
and warmth. His home was filled with books on poetry, philosophy, and legal
thoughts, as he lived by a belief of nurturing minds with open dialogue. He
passed on these values to his children, especially his daughter Shahnaz Husain,
who often recalls the many evenings spent in meaningful conversations with her
father. He encouraged her to think freely, to question boldly, and to live a
life with purpose.
When Shahnaz Husain embarked on her journey as a beauty entrepreneur, inspired
by natural healing, he didn’t simply celebrate her success, in fact he
challenged her to look beyond material achievement.
“You may think you have time,” he once told her, “But the torch can go out in a
blink. Start now.”
Those words weren’t just parental advice, they were the philosophy by which he
lived his own life: do what is right, do it now, and do it with your whole
being.
Justice Nasirullah Beg’s legacy lies not only in the pages of legal textbooks
but in the lives he shaped, the ideals he upheld, and the example he set. In an
era where power often overshadowed principle, he chose a different path, a path
lit by conscience, guided by law, and paved with integrity.
The most remarkable aspect of Chief Justice Nasirullah Beg was his deep
humility. Despite the high office he held, he never lost sight of the human
impact of his work. Colleagues recall his fairness, his quiet dignity, and his
kindness to young lawyers. For him, the law was not a tool for dominance, it
was a vehicle for compassion and reason. His courtroom was a place where the
voiceless were heard and where justice was never delayed or denied.
As the world changes and generations pass, the life of Chief Justice Nasirullah
Beg continues to inspire. In courtrooms, classrooms, and in quiet moments of
reflection, his voice echoes still: just, gentle, and resolute.
