Justice Gokal Chand Mittal Passes Away at 92

Ravi Singh

Justice Gokal Chand Mittal, one of the most quietly influential voices in Indian judiciary, passed away at the age of 92. His life and work have left an indelible mark not just on the pages of law journals, but in the hearts and minds of those who walked the corridors of justice alongside him. His judgments were not just citations; they were reflections of a legal mind that prized clarity, restraint, and unwavering integrity.

Born on March 4, 1933, Justice Gokal Chand Mittal began his journey in law as an advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1956. Early on, he leaned into the civil side of practice, where his calm demeanor and precise arguments quickly gained respect. He was appointed an additional judge in February 1979, and by June 1982, he was made permanent. In every courtroom he presided over, his presence was subtle yet deeply felt. Never one for flamboyance, he believed in the quiet strength of reasoned judgment and judicial discipline.

His elevation to Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in August 1991 marked a significant chapter in his career, followed by a transfer to the Rajasthan High Court in April 1994, where he served until his retirement in March 1995. Yet, retirement did not dim the impact he had made. For many, he remained a symbol of grace, intellect, and the kind of authority that didn’t need volume to command respect.

News of his passing was shared by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, triggering an outpouring of memories and respect from legal circles. For those who had seen him in action—whether on the bench or during his early years at the Bar—the loss is deeply personal. His judgments continue to be referenced not just for legal merit but for their thoughtfulness, precision, and the quiet dignity that defined his career.

Justice Mittal’s influence transcended official positions. Whether serving as Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court or as Chief Justice in Delhi and Rajasthan, his word carried a moral weight that was felt as much as it was heard. He was a mentor to many and an inspiration to more—proof that greatness in the judiciary need not be loud to be lasting.

The final rites of Justice Gokal Chand Mittal will be held at 11 am on June 6 at the Electric Crematorium in Sector 25, Chandigarh. Yet, for the legal fraternity and those touched by his life’s work, the real farewell will come in the quiet moments when his legacy is remembered—in courtrooms, in judgments, and in the enduring ideals of justice he stood for.