Kailash Nath Katju

Kailash Nath Katju

Kailash Nath Katju (June 17, 1887, Jaora - February 17, 1968) was a prominent politician of India. He served as the Governor of Orissa and West Bengal, and also as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was part of some of the most riveting cases of his times, including the famous Indian National Army trials. The Indian National Army trials involved the court martials of several members of the armed forces for crimes ranging from torture to murder and rape. Dr Katju joined the freedom struggle against the British rule in India early on. Following the independence of India, he held many high political positions. Initially he was the Governor of Orissa from August 15, 1947 to June 20, 1948. He became the Governor of West Bengal on June 21, 1948 and was in office till October 1951. In 1951 he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mandsaur constituency, joining the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru as Law Minister in 1951. In November 1951 he succeeded C. Rajagopalachari as the country's third Home Minister. In 1955 he was made the Defence Minister. He became the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on January 31, 1957, remaining in office till March 11, 1962. He retired from politics in 1963.