Kazi Syed Karimuddin: Life and Liberty

<p>Vidarbha in Maharashtra’s north-eastern region has been fertile ground for social reformers and intellectuals. It has played a vital role in shaping the nation with its social cultural and political currents enriching India's civilization. One such luminary from Yavatmal was Kazi Syed Karimuddin a distinguished criminal lawyer who played a critical role in drafting the Indian Constitution.</p><p>Karimuddin actively engaged in Yavatmal’s social legal judicial and political circles. He participated in the Constituent Assembly (1947-50) framing the Constitution and served in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1947-52) when it was known as the Central Province. Later he was a Rajya Sabha member (1954-58). He earned a law degree from Aligarh Muslim University and became a notable litigator in privacy emergency provisions and proportional representation.</p><p>Karimuddin proposed an amendment in the Constituent Assembly modeled after the American Constitution to make the right to privacy a fundamental right. However Dr. B.R. Ambedkar only offered reserved support. Article 20 states that no person shall be convicted except under a law in force at the time of the act prosecuted twice for the same offence or compelled to be a witness against themselves.</p><p>This book outlines Karimuddin’s remarkable career as a criminal lawyer and a pioneer of the right to privacy. It traces the journey of privacy rights from his amendment to the Puttaswamy case which extensively shaped its legal framework.</p>