State allocates Rs 1Cr to WBNUJS in memory of Justice Radha Binod Pal

The West Bengal government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) to honour the late Justice Radha Binod Pal, the only Indian judge from the Calcutta High Court who participated in the Tokyo Trials.

- ANWESHA SANTRA

Justice Pal's landmark dissent at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, established after World War II to prosecute Japanese leaders for war crimes, remains a celebrated example of upholding fairness, impartiality and legality in international justice.

Speaking at an international conclave titled "Justice Dr Radha Binod Pal and Quest for Justice: Historical Perspective and Contemporary Implications" organised by WBNUJS to commemorate Justice Pal's legacy, Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, vice-chancellor, WBNUJS, highlighted the government's generous contribution. He announced the establishment of the Radha Binod Pal Chair at the university, with the allocated funds fixed to generate interest for organising activities such as lecture series in his memory. A book compiling research on Justice Pal, to be published by Springer-International Publisher, is also in the works.

Justice Pal's grandson, Sudhi Binod Pal, expressed gratitude for the honour and urged the state government to rename Beadon Street, where Justice Pal once resided, in his memory. Additionally, he proposed naming a park in New Alipore, near another of his grandfather's residences, after Justice Pal. He further suggested that the Victoria Memorial Hall preserve artefacts belonging to the iconic jurist.