Justice M.S. Liberhan Passes Away at 87

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, former Chief Justice of the Madras and Andhra Pradesh High Courts, died on 2 August 2026 at the age of 87. He was born on 11 November 1938 near Chandigarh and began his legal career at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1964.

Judicial Career in India

Justice Liberhan served in the higher judiciary and later became Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Punjab and Haryana High Court is one of the constitutional courts under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.

Liberhan Commission and Babri Masjid Demolition

Justice Liberhan headed the one-man Liberhan Commission, which was appointed on 16 December 1992 to inquire into the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya. The commission submitted its report on 30 June 2009 after 17 years and 48 extensions.

Babri Masjid Inquiry: Static Facts

The Babri Masjid stood in Ayodhya in present-day Uttar Pradesh and became central to a major legal and political dispute in India. The Liberhan Commission report described the demolition of the Babri Masjid as a “meticulously planned” act.

Important Facts for Exams

• Justice M.S. Liberhan was born in 1938 and died in 2026 at the age of 87.
• He served as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
• The Liberhan Commission was appointed on 16 December 1992.
• The commission took 17 years and 48 extensions to submit its report.

Legal and Historical Context

The Babri Masjid demolition took place on 6 December 1992 in Ayodhya. The Liberhan Commission was a one-man commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.