Remembering late Justice J.L. Gupta’s final years and his unyielding fight against cancer

On July 10, 2012, he worked through the day as usual. The next morning, July 11, everything changed. He developed a severe headache and nausea and could not go to court. MRI scans and other tests were conducted. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The neurosurgeon advised that it needed to be removed at the earliest. It was glioblastoma. JLG remained calm, though the family was deeply anxious.

Ultimately, surgery was performed on August 28. After a gruelling surgery lasting over nine hours, the surgeon shared that Justice Gupta had encouraged him, saying, “You are competent. I am confident. You will make history.” He was shifted to a private room. On September 2, a lumbar puncture confirmed meningitis, and he was moved back to the ICU. Two infusion pumps continuously administered antibiotics. After several days, he returned to his private room and was later discharged home. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy cycles followed. They caused side effects and posed significant challenges.

On January 22, 2014, he completed 72 years of his life journey. I sent him a book, Legends in Law, with a handwritten message: “Tough times do not last. Tough people do. May you go on forever. Happy Birthday.” His own prescription for life was courage and conviction. He firmly believed that the desire to live is the recipe to destroy disease. A cancer patient, he felt, must keep the mind happy.

By early 2015, he was doing well. He was writing blogs, though his immunity remained low. He visited Chandigarh, where he was invited by the Rotary Club Chandigarh Midtown, faculty at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, and the Association of British Scholars. He shared his story with audiences. He inspired many, laughed, and made others laugh. We all felt he had conquered the disease. His urge to enjoy his drink returned. He decided to put his journey into print and wrote the book The Ringside View – The Story of a Fight Against Cancer.

On December 16, 2015, this book, along with another titled Of Life and Me, a collection of his selected writings, was released by the then Chief Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur. He greeted everyone with a warm handshake.

Within a couple of days, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalised. Doctors fought a second battle with utmost effort. Despite everything, he passed away on January 3, 2016. He conquered cancer but succumbed to pneumonia. How sad.

We fondly, dearly, and lovingly miss him. Today, January 22, 2026, he would have completed his 84th milestone. May his soul rest in peace. May God continue to keep him in His warm embrace.

(Balram Gupta is former director of of National Judicial Acadeny, Indore, and prof emeritus is law at PU)