Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, who probed Babri Masjid demolition, dies at 87

Times of India Published Aug 4, 2026 Reviewed Aug 4, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan died on Sunday at the age of 87.

87 · age Rohit Sud, President of Punjab and Haryana high court bar association

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan began practising law at the Punjab and Haryana high court in 1964.

1964 · year of practice start

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan was elected to the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council in August 1970 and served until February 11, 1987.

1970 · year of election1987 · year of departure

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan served as secretary of the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council from January 1976 to June 1983.

1976 · year of start1983 · year of end

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan was elevated to judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court on February 11, 1987.

1987 · year of elevation

Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan was appointed Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in July 1997 and later became Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in February 1998.

1997 · year of Madras appointment1998 · year of Andhra Pradesh appointment

On December 16, 1992, the Indian government appointed Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan to head the Liberhan Commission to investigate the Babri Masjid demolition.

1992 · year of appointment

The Liberhan Commission became one of the longest-running inquiries in Indian history.

NEW DELHI: Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan, who headed the one-man commission that investigated the circumstances leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, died on Sunday at the age of 87.Punjab and Haryana high court bar association President Rohit Sud confirmed his death, saying Justice Liberhan passed away in Chandigarh.

His last rites will be held on Monday.Justice Liberhan began practising law at the Punjab and Haryana high court in 1964. He was elected to the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council in August 1970 and remained a member until February 11, 1987. During this period, he also served as the Bar Council's secretary from January 1976 to June 1983.He was elevated as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana high court on February 11, 1987.

In July 1997, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Madras high court before taking over as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh high court in February 1998.On December 16, 1992, days after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the Centre appointed Justice Liberhan to head the one-man Liberhan Commission to probe the events leading up to the incident.

The commission went on to become one of the longest-running inquiries in India's history.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

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