The Shah Commission was appointed in 1977 by the Janata Party Government. Why was it appointed and what were its findings?
After coming to power in 1977, the Janta Party appointed a Shah Commission headed by Justice J.C. Shah, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India, to inquire
and look into various aspects of abuse of authority, malpractices and the excesses committed during the period of Emergency.
Various witnesses were called and examined, including Mrs. Gandhi. Even though she refused to answer the queries put forward by the Commission, she was later reprimanded and then released.
As per the report submitted by the Commission, the following findings were notified:
a. Emergency witnessed a large-scale displacement of people.
b. People became victims of government actions.
c. Forced sterilisation took place.
d. It was estimated that nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under preventive detention laws.
e. Freedom of press was curtailed without any legal sanctions.
f. Electricity to all newspapers’ offices was cut on the basis of verbal orders.
g. Large number of cases of tortures and custodial deaths came in the forefront.
h. It was also found out that the decision to impose Emergency was solely taken by Mrs. Gandhi, who did not consult cabinet members.
i. The decision to arrest and release political prisoners from opposition parties was made with political considerations.
j. Orders given to the IAS officers were politically motivated, improper and forged.
and look into various aspects of abuse of authority, malpractices and the excesses committed during the period of Emergency.
Various witnesses were called and examined, including Mrs. Gandhi. Even though she refused to answer the queries put forward by the Commission, she was later reprimanded and then released.
As per the report submitted by the Commission, the following findings were notified:
a. Emergency witnessed a large-scale displacement of people.
b. People became victims of government actions.
c. Forced sterilisation took place.
d. It was estimated that nearly one lakh eleven thousand people were arrested under preventive detention laws.
e. Freedom of press was curtailed without any legal sanctions.
f. Electricity to all newspapers’ offices was cut on the basis of verbal orders.
g. Large number of cases of tortures and custodial deaths came in the forefront.
h. It was also found out that the decision to impose Emergency was solely taken by Mrs. Gandhi, who did not consult cabinet members.
i. The decision to arrest and release political prisoners from opposition parties was made with political considerations.
j. Orders given to the IAS officers were politically motivated, improper and forged.
