Legal defence after Chauri Chaura — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2025

Who provided legal defence to the people arrested in the aftermath of the Chauri Chaura incident?

1. C. R. Das
2. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant
3. Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Khwaja Hasan Nizami
4. M. A. Jinnah

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• During the Non-Cooperation Movement, a violent episode occurred at Chauri Chaura, where a mob of protesters clashed with the police and set a police station ablaze, resulting in the death of 22 policemen. In response to the violence, Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement. Following the incident, around 170 individuals were arrested, with several facing death or life imprisonment. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant stepped in to provide legal defence. Their determined efforts led to a substantial reduction in death sentences, with many accused either acquitted or given lighter punishments.

Answer: (b) Madan Mohan Malaviya and Krishna Kant; Difficulty Level: Hard