Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away Yesterday (Dec 26), aged 92 in the national capital, had a brush with the justice system when he was summoned as an accused in a coal block allocation case. The Supreme Court, however, intervened and stayed the directive. Singh, an astute economist and a stalwart politician, questioned the absence of the mandated sanction for prosecuting public officials like him, and denied any criminality in his decision concerning the coal block allocation.
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NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, a celebrated economist and an iconic political leader, passed away at the age of 92 in the national capital on Thursday.
Known for his integrity and intellect, Singh had a distinguished career, but he also faced a notable moment of legal scrutiny during his tenure.
He was summoned as an accused in a case related to the allocation of a coal block. However, the Supreme Court later intervened and stayed the directive, providing him relief.
The Coal Block Case and Its Legal Complexity
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as the Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his deep understanding of economic policies and a stellar political career. But in March 2015, he was summoned by a trial court in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of the Talabira-II coal block to Hindalco Industries.
Singh, who also held the coal ministry portfolio at the time, firmly denied any wrongdoing and pointed out that there was no criminal intent in his decisions.
Singh raised a crucial question regarding the legal process. He highlighted the absence of the required approval to prosecute public officials like him.
His appeal in the Supreme Court challenged the trial court’s order, which had summoned him and others in the case. His petition to the top court argued:
“The petition raises substantial questions of law which call for an authoritative pronouncement from this court in relation to the interplay between governmental functions and criminal prosecution under the PC (prevention of corruption) Act, especially in cases where there is not even a whiff, let alone an allegation of quid pro quo, and the case is based upon the processes of governmental decisions.”
Trial Court Summons and Supreme Court Relief
The trial court judge, Bharat Parashar, had rejected the CBI’s closure report on March 11, 2015, and ordered Singh and other accused to appear before the court on April 8, 2015. This decision became a significant moment in the case.
Despite these allegations, Singh’s defense emphasized that he acted in good faith and relied on the recommendations of senior officials, including the then coal secretary, H.C. Gupta. Judge Parashar later observed in 2017 that Singh had no reason to believe that Gupta had misrepresented facts or recommended a firm that did not comply with the guidelines. The court stated:
“The fact that the then PM of the country Manmohan Singh thought it appropriate to retain the charge of the ministry of coal with himself only, clearly shows as to how important the work of the said ministry was.”
The judgment highlighted that Singh had relied on the coal ministry’s processes and assumed the screening committee’s recommendations were based on complete and accurate evaluations. The court elaborated:
“It was apparent that Singh proceeded to consider the screening committee’s recommendation on the assumption that the applications must have been checked in the coal ministry for their eligibility and completeness.”
It further noted:
“While forwarding the file to the prime minister as minister of coal for approval of the recommendation of the screening committee, it was nowhere mentioned by any of the ministry officers, let alone by Gupta, that the applications have not been checked for their eligibility and completeness.”
Legacy of Dr. Manmohan Singh
This episode in Singh’s life reflects the challenges of leadership at the highest level. Despite facing such allegations, his integrity and contributions to India’s economic growth and policy reforms remain uncontested.
As an architect of liberalization in the 1990s and a statesman admired globally, Singh’s career symbolizes resilience, wisdom, and service to the nation.
Dr. Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for his commitment to India’s progress, and his contributions to the country’s political and economic landscape remain invaluable.
Death of Indian Ex-PM and Architect of Economic Reform
India mourns the loss of one of its most respected leaders, Manmohan Singh, who passed away at the age of 92.
Recognized for his remarkable contributions to the country’s economic progress and political landscape, Singh served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and previously as the Finance Minister.
Early Life and Education
Manmohan Singh was born on 26 September 1932, in a small village in Punjab province, which was part of undivided India. The village lacked basic facilities like water and electricity. Singh’s quest for education took him to Panjab University, where he pursued his early studies. Later, he went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge and a DPhil from Oxford.
During his time at Cambridge, financial struggles were a challenge, as noted by his daughter, Daman Singh, in her book about her parents.
Political Journey and Economic Reforms
Manmohan Singh first gained prominence in 1991 as India’s Finance Minister. At a time when the country was on the brink of bankruptcy, Singh delivered a remarkable turnaround through bold economic reforms. In his maiden speech as Finance Minister, he quoted Victor Hugo:
“No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”
This philosophy became the foundation of his policies. Singh initiated measures such as tax cuts, rupee devaluation, privatization of state-run companies, and encouraging foreign investment. These reforms revitalized the economy, curbed inflation, and ensured consistent growth throughout the 1990s.
Rise to Prime Ministership
Despite his monumental success as an economist, Singh acknowledged his limited political base. Reflecting on this, he once remarked:
“It is nice to be a statesman, but in order to be a statesman in a democracy you first have to win elections.”
His defeat in a 1999 election to the Lok Sabha highlighted this reality. Singh primarily served in India’s Upper House (Rajya Sabha), where he represented his party, Congress.
In 2004, Singh became Prime Minister when Sonia Gandhi, the Congress party president, declined the post, reportedly to avoid controversies surrounding her Italian origins. However, critics alleged that Sonia Gandhi was the real decision-maker during Singh’s tenure, casting doubts on his authority as Prime Minister.
Achievements and Challenges
Manmohan Singh’s first term as Prime Minister saw a historic breakthrough with the Indo-US nuclear deal, which ended India’s nuclear isolation and provided access to American nuclear technology. Singh’s leadership during this period earned respect for its calm, consensus-driven approach.
However, this success came with political challenges. The government’s Communist allies withdrew support over the nuclear deal, forcing Congress to secure new alliances amid accusations of vote-buying.
Singh’s tenure was also marked by challenges in his second term, including corruption scandals that tarnished his administration’s reputation. These controversies significantly contributed to Congress’s defeat in the 2014 general elections.
Tributes from Leaders
Following Singh’s demise, leaders across the political spectrum paid heartfelt tributes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on social media:
“India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders.”
Modi further highlighted Singh’s contributions, saying:
“Wisdom and humility were always visible” during our interactions, and he “made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives” during his time as Prime Minister.
Priyanka Gandhi, a Congress leader, described Singh as:
“Genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed, and courageous until the end.”
Her brother and Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, expressed his personal loss, saying:
“I have lost a mentor and guide.”
Legacy
Manmohan Singh was the first Sikh to hold the office of Prime Minister and the first leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after completing a full term.
He is remembered not only for his economic reforms but also for his apology in Parliament for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, during which thousands of Sikhs were killed.
Despite his calm demeanor and reputation for integrity, Singh was often criticized for being indecisive and slow in implementing reforms as Prime Minister.
Yet, his humility, intellect, and contributions to India’s development ensure that his legacy endures.
A Life of Service
Manmohan Singh’s journey from a small village in Punjab to the highest political office in India is an inspiring story of dedication, resilience, and leadership.
His role in transforming India’s economy and navigating its complex political landscape will remain a significant chapter in the nation’s history.
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