Former Chief Justice of India Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi dies at 82

June,18,2015: Former Chief Justice of India, Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, 82, today breathed his last.

He was the 28th Chief Justice of India. As chief justice of India, he was preceded by Justice J.S. Verma, and succeeded by Dr. Justice A.S. Anand.

Justice Punchhi was born on 10 October, 1933 at Pakpattan in Punjab (now in Pakistan). Having begun his legal career in 1955, he was appointed as a Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court in December-1982. Justice Punchhi remained on the position for a decade before his elevation to the Bench of the Supreme Court with effect from October 6, 1989.

Justice Punchhi died due to a cardiac arrest in the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. He breathed his last on Wednesday evening  at the hospital.

The Central Government, under the chairmanship of Justice Punchhi, had constituted a commission on Centre-state relations for looking into the changing dynamics of the relations in the milieu of emerging social, political, economic, environmental and governance issues in the country.

He graduated from DAV College, Jalandhar before obtaining a law degree and certificate of proficiency from the Department of Laws, Delhi University, in 1955. Before his elevation as a High Court judge, he remained for some time a part-time lecturer in Panjab University's Law Department. He was also standing counsel for the Chandigarh Administration.Justice Punchhi was the father-in-law of BJP chandigarh president Sanjay Tandon.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former Chief Justice of India M M Punchhi, who passed away here at PGI following a massive heart attack last night.

The Chief Minister visited the deceased’s residence to share his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family members. Paying last respects to the departed soul Mr. Badal laid wreath on the body of Justice Punchhi and penned down a message in a condolence book.

The Chief Minister described late Justice MM Punchhi as a legal luminary and eminent jurist, who rendered outstanding services to uphold the ethics and moral values of Indian legal system. Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family, relatives and friends to bear this irreplaceable loss.

The funeral took place at Sector 25, Chandigarh cremation ground.