FORMER Calcutta High Court judge, Justice D. K. Basu passed away on Sunday.
Justice D. K. Basu started his career as an Advocate at the Calcutta High Court.
He also practiced in the Supreme Court of India.
He was elevated as a judge of the Calcutta High Court in 1987.
He also served as the Chairman of Legal Aid Services West Bengal (LASWEB) and as the Chairman of the National Committee for Legal Aid Services – India.
He is most famously remembered for his association with the case D. K. vs State Bengal. Basu had written a letter to the then Chief Justice of India, Justice P. N. Bhagwati, highlighting deaths that occurred in police custody and lock-ups. Chief Justice Bhagwati took cognizance of this letter and initiated proceedings. The case led to the Supreme Court laying down detailed guidelines for police to follow while making arrests and detention.
