When Dr BR Ambedkar Saved A Man From Gallows At Old HC Building Inside Nagpur's Old High Court building, now a protected yet neglected structure, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar once argued a case that would overturn a death sentence, marking a defining moment in India's legal history. In 1937, Ambedkar secured the acquittal of Agamandas, who was sentenced to death by a Raipur sessions court in a murder case widely believed to be driven by political motives. The case was brought to him by LN Hardas, then a legislator from Kamptee and a committed follower. Despite being elected to the provincial council on February 17, 1937, Agamandas found himself entangled in a legal battle. At the time, Raipur and the broader Chhattisgarh region were part of the Central Provinces (CP) and Berar, with the high court headquartered in Nagpur. The Old High Court building in Civil Lines, then a symbol of colonial-era justice, became the stage for Dr BR Ambedkar's intervention. Presenting his case with what records describe as "precise reliance on evidence," Dr BR Ambedkar dismantled the prosecution claims. On April 29, 1937, the court declared Agamandas not guilty, sparing him from execution and reinforcing the principle of due process in a colonial legal framework. The anniversary of the verdict will be observed on April 29, 2026, with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) planning a tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar at the Old High Court premises. Uttam Shewde, the party's state publicity chief, confirmed the tribute. Even as the legacy of that courtroom victory endures, the building itself remains in shambles. Granted heritage status in 2018, the Old High Court building has seen limited attention from the Archaeological Survey of India despite its national significance.#dr_br_ambedkar #bahujan_samaj_party #agamandas #ln_hardas #old_high_court_nagpur
BSP Tilts Scale In Ashi Nagar Zone To Gift Cong Mini Mayor Post Nagpur: The lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) corporator in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) emerged as a pivotal figure in the Ashi Nagar zone sabhapati (mini mayor) election, shifting the balance in favor of the Congress party and altering what was expected to be an uncontested victory for the AIMIM-IUML alliance. Congress corporator Asif Sheikh secured the post after BSP’s Harshala Jaiswal provided critical support, while the BJP’s sole corporator in the zone remained neutral during voting. Ashi Nagar was the only zone among the 10 to witness polling, with all other zones seeing largely unopposed outcomes. The contest in Ashi Nagar intensified as Congress fielded Asif Sheikh against AIMIM candidate Alisha Faheem Khan. The AIMIM-IUML alliance, comprising AIMIM’s three corporators and IUML’s four under the Bahujan Muslim Vikas Sangh banner, was confident of winning and sought Jaiswal’s backing to secure the majority in the 16-member panel. However, last-minute political developments changed the outcome. BSP leader Sanjay Jaiswal revealed internal rifts within the AIMIM camp over the nominated corporator post led to the withdrawal of support. "On Friday morning, we decided to back Congress," Jaiswal stated, highlighting the decisive shift that enabled Congress to edge past the alliance despite the tight arithmetic. Meanwhile, the BJP secured sabhapati posts in eight zones unopposed, fielding all-women candidates as part of its emphasis on women representation in civic bodies.#congress_party #nagpur_municipal_corporation #bahujan_samaj_party #aimim_iu_ml_alliance #ashinagar_zone
