Bhaktavar Lentin
Bhaktavar Lentin was a Judge at the Bombay High Court during the period 1975 and 1989 when he retired. He started as a practising lawyer and went to become a judge at the Sessions court and later at the High Court. During his later years as a High Court judge he had a ......
On February 21, 1986 the State Government of Maharashtra appointed Shri Justice B. Lentin as a one-man Commission of
Inquiry to probe into the death of 14 patients in the government run J.J.B. Hospital between 22.1.1986 and 7.2.1986 after they were administered contaminated glycerol. The inquiry revealed the existence of a corrupt and nexus between the drug firms, the Food & Drugs Administration and hospital staff and the then health Minister Baliram Hiray. In the Foreword to his 289 page report Justice Lentin wrote the following:
"These pages describe and illustrate the ugly facets o f the human mind and human nature, projecting errors of judgment, misuse o f ministerial power and authority, apathy towards human life, corruption, nexus and quid pro quo between unscrupulous license holders, analytical laboratories, elements in the Industries department controlling the awarding of rate contracts, manufacturers, traders, merchants, suppliers, the FDA and persons holding ministerial rank".
In the year 1988 a case was filed before him challenging the telecast of Tamas serial directed by Govind Nihalani based on the novel by the same name written by Bisham Sahni. It was argued that the tele-serial would lead to a law and order problem, but Js Lentin rejected the argument and cleared the telecast of the serial.
In the year 1988 a case was filed before him challenging the telecast of Tamas serial directed by Govind Nihalani based on the novel by the same name written by Bisham Sahni. It was argued that the tele-serial would lead to a law and order problem, but Js Lentin rejected the argument and cleared the telecast of the serial.
Lentin Commission report which was tabled after a court order in 1988 found the then state public health minister, Bhai Sawant, guilty. But without batting an eyelid, the state government recommended another probe. "In retrospect, they all got away except one person who was penalised because he helped the Commission.
