Author: Ayushman Joshi
Role of Pran Nath Mehta in Bhagat Singh’s Trial and Final Meeting
1. Role of Pran Nath Mehta Pran Nath Mehta was an advocate who played a secondary yet significant role during the Lahore Conspiracy Case — the trial that ultimately led to Bhagat Singh’s execution. He served as a junior defence counsel and was among the few legal professionals permitted to interact directly with Bhagat Singh in jail. He was not the principal lawyer throughout all trials involving Bhagat Singh. In the earlier Assembly Bombing Case (1929), Bhagat Singh often represented himself, taking only legal advice from others such as Lala Duni Chand or Asaf Ali. However, in the Lahore Conspiracy Case, Mehta worked as a part of the defence counsel team and closely followed Bhagat Singh’s legal proceedings. Mehta later testified that Bhagat Singh was “confused and stunned” when told about Sukhdev’s statement during the case — an observation that highlights Mehta’s first-hand involvement.
2. The Final Meeting According to historical accounts (including those from The Hindustan Times and other archival reports), Pran Nath Mehta was the last civilian to meet Bhagat Singh before his execution. The meeting took place around 10 a.m. on March 23, 1931 — the day Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed in Lahore Jail. During this meeting, Bhagat Singh reportedly asked Mehta to bring him a book on or by Vladimir Lenin, which Mehta arranged. Bhagat Singh spent his last hours reading it before being called to the gallows.
3. Who Met Bhagat Singh Last The Punjab government permitted only one final meeting before the execution. Officially, the last person to meet Bhagat Singh was Advocate Pran Nath Mehta. After Mehta’s departure, jail and government officials entered to make final preparations for the hanging. Bhagat Singh’s parents and relatives were in Lahore at that time, but they were not allowed a final meeting in person. The father, Kishan Singh, reportedly declined a limited visit, wanting the entire family to be allowed instead. Therefore, the historical consensus remains that Pran Nath Mehta was the last person outside prison officials to meet Bhagat Singh before his martyrdom.
4. Summary – Pran Nath Mehta served as a junior defence counsel in the Lahore Conspiracy Case. – He was not Bhagat Singh’s principal lawyer in all cases, but played an advisory and supportive role. – He met Bhagat Singh on the morning of March 23, 1931 — just hours before his execution. – Mehta was the last person to meet Bhagat Singh privately, fulfilling his final request for a book on Lenin.
Sources: – The Hindustan Times: “Bhagat Singh – The Final Hours” (2011) – Times of India Blogs: “A Nation Betrayed” – Scroll.in: “End of a Glorious Chapter: Bhagat Singh’s Execution” – Factly.in archives on Bhagat Singh’s trial representation
