Previous Year Question
Who of the following pleaded from the side of Indian National Army Officers in their Red Fort trial?
C.R. Das
Motilal Nehru
M.A. Jinnah
Sir T.B. Sapru
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
After the end of the Second World War, the British Government decided to prosecute a number of officers of the Indian National Army (INA). These proceedings became famous as the Red Fort Trials.
The first and most prominent trial began at the Red Fort on 5 November 1945. Three INA officers—Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Sahgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon—were tried together.
One of the principal charges against them was “waging war against the King-Emperor,” along with other charges.
A Defence Committee was constituted to provide legal assistance to the INA officers. It included several eminent lawyers and national leaders. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru was among the distinguished jurists who defended the INA prisoners.
The defence team was also associated with figures such as Bhulabhai Desai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Asaf Ali and Kailash Nath Katju. Bhulabhai Desai became particularly known for his extensive legal arguments in defence of the INA officers.
The trials generated widespread public support across India, and the joint trial of the three officers—one Muslim, one Hindu and one Sikh—became a powerful symbol of national unity.
Therefore, among the given options, the person who pleaded on behalf of the INA officers in the Red Fort trial was Sir T.B. Sapru.