User:Deva 840/Shah Commisssion

Shah Commissionwas a judicial commission of enquiry appointed in 1977 to look into the excesses of the Emergency declared by Mrs.Indira Gandhi to prolong her rule and lock up political opponents besides suspending all the fundamental rights.It was set up by the Janata Goverenment that came to power when Mrs.Gandhi was soundly defeated in 1977.Headed by Justice J.C.Shah,former Chief Justice of India,it had Karl Khandalawala as its counsel while eminent lawyer P.N.Lekhi served as the government counsel.Pointed questioning revealed how the state machinery was misused at the behest of the government and people locked up arbitrarily along with persecution of the Press.Several political figures figured very prominently in participating in the excesses eg.Mrs.Gandhi's son Sanjay Gandhi,Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal,Information Minister V.C.Shukla,Revenue Minister Pranab Mukherjee,Youth Congress President Ambika Soni.

Mrs.Gandhi herself refused to depose before the Commission and Pranab Mukherjee followed her example.

Janata Government collapsed and Mrs.gandhi was re-elected.She ensured that the Commission was wound up and those found guilty were all rehabilitated.