Bhawani Singh, A. C. J.—Petitioner (77) claims to be a freedom-fighter. He states that he was the subject of the Ruler of State of Bilaspur. Before independence, the Indian National Congress was fighting for the independence of the country from British Rule. Similar movements for the freedom of the country and for the merger of the princely States with the Indian Union were going on. Bilaspur was one of such princely States. This movement was being run by various Praja Mandals affiliated to "All India States Peoples Conference", a central organisation of which Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru was the Chairman. The key object of said Praja Mandal movement in various States was to achieve independence for the country and merge the princely States with the Indian Union.

2. The petitioner was also attracted to this movement in Bilaspur. He became its active member. The Raja of Bilaspur made all efforts to suppress the movement by imprisoning and or ordering externment and internment of the political workers who were taking part in the Praja Mandal Movement. The Raja was a despot and his breath was law for the State under his control. Most of these princely States merged with the Indian