Broadcasters lament death of former Chief Justice J S Verma

The news broadcasting fraternity united in condoling on Monday evening the death of retd Justice Jagdish Sharan Verma, who passed away after a brief illness earlier in the day.

The 27th Chief Justice of India, Verma was appointed the first chairperson of the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), a self- regulatory body set up by the News Broadcasters Association on 2 October 2008.

"In his frequent interaction with members of NBA, he would tell them that in a democracy, it was the media's duty to inform the people of everything of significance; but the right to inform did not include the right to misinform as the media's right is no greater than an individual's right, which was again subject to reasonable restrictions," NBA secretary general Annie Joseph said in a statement.

The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) also conveyed its deepest condolences at the demise of Justice Verma.

Architect of rape laws Justice Verma had also headed the panel to review laws on crimes against women, set up after the heinous gang rape of a medical student in Delhi on 16 December.

Verma, 80, was admitted to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon with multiple organ failure.

The former chief justice headed the three-member Verma Committee on anti-rape law and recommended a slew of changes to protect women from sexual violence. The report was submitted in just 29 days.

Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India from 25 March 1997 to 18 January 1998.

Having completed his early education in Satna, Madhya Pradesh, Verma began his legal career in 1955, and was appointed as a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in June 1973.

He became Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in June 1986 and later also served as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.

In June 1989, he was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India; and he became Chief Justice in January 1998.