Newly appointed Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, who took oath as the 51st head of the country’s judiciary today, is on a personal mission to locate his “missing” ancestral home in Amritsar. The search for the pre-Independence era residence, a house built by his grandfather Sarav Dayal, is a heartfelt endeavor that Justice Sanjiv Khanna undertakes each time he visits the historic city.
Sources close to Justice Sanjiv Khanna reveal that the search for the house in Katra Sher Singh near Jallianwala Bagh is almost a pilgrimage for the Chief Justice. Although the neighborhood has evolved significantly over the decades, his determination to find his family’s roots has not wavered. The house has not only historical but also sentimental value, symbolizing the legacy left behind by Sarav Dayal, a prominent lawyer and the father of the legendary Justice HR Sanjiv Khanna. Sarav Dayal had acquired two properties around the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre: one in Katra Sher Singh, Amritsar, and another in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh. His work as a member of the Congress committee investigating the 1919 massacre marked his dedication to justice and the nation, a legacy that resonates deeply with his grandson, Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
During the tumultuous period of Independence in 1947, the Katra Sher Singh house faced desecration and was set on fire. Yet, Sarav Dayal’s resilience saw the property restored. This house, marked by a sign reading “Bauji” (Grandfather), became a symbol of familial heritage. Justice Sanjiv Khanna remembers visiting the Amritsar house as a child with his father, where he saw the “Bauji” sign—now preserved in the family’s Dalhousie property.
However, in 1970, after Sarav Dayal’s passing, the family sold the house in Katra Sher Singh. The property remains elusive, but Justice Sanjiv Khanna holds onto vivid memories of his grandfather’s legacy and the unique lessons he imparted. One of the most cherished memories is how his grandfather would discourage him from bringing school books during holidays, insisting that the life lessons he shared would offer an education unmatched by textbooks.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s sentimental quest not only highlights his dedication to his roots but also reflects the deep-seated values of India’s judiciary. His pursuit of his ancestral home is a reminder of the enduring legacy of a family that has served the country’s legal system for generations.
