Robes of Justice

Harbans Singh was born in India before independence, into a judicial family. His father started the first Khalsa School in Gujranwala and served as its headmaster, then joined the judicial service. In 1933 Harbans missed entering the British Civil Service by just two marks. The ship to London took two and a half months. He went to Lincoln's Inn. From 1933 to 1936 he got his Barrister-at-Law. He topped each exam he sat. A relative says he would be the only Asian, the only person who ever did that. He was called to the Bar in his absence, already on his way home. Sir William Holdsworth proposed him. Lord Russell of Killowen was Treasurer. He practiced at the Lahore High Court until Partition, then was posted in Ferozepur as an Additional District Judge. From 1970 to 1974 he was Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Lincoln's Inn honored him after that too. When the official car was just taking the kids to school, there was no red light, no flag, no curtain. He gave the same love to the gardener as to the Governor. His nephew says: aim for the stars, do whatever you feel passionate about, and do it well.