Veteran Cong leader G K Chatrath dies

Veteran Congress leader Gopal Krishan Chatrath died here today following a brief illness, his family said.
He was 82.
Chatrath, a senator of Punjab University (PU) here, was also a former Advocate General and former Congress MLA.
He was elected as MLA from Batala in the year 1980. For decades he had been the senator of PU. Presently, he was the chairman of Punjab Congress disciplinary action committee.
His daughter Anu Chatrath had also been Chandigarh's mayor in the past.
Meanwhile, Punjab chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa condoled the death of Chatrath.

In his condolence message, Badal described Chatrath as a "legal luminary and eminent jurist" besides a noted academician in the field of legal studies.

Recalling the "outstanding services" of Chatrath as a "renowned lawyer, MLA and senator of PU", Badal said that he had proved his mettle in the arena of law and jurisprudence besides in public service.
Sukhbir said Chatrath had earned a place of great significance among lawyers and served as president of Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association.
"He and was very nice human being whose contribution in education, social and public life would always be remembered by all", said Sukhbir.

Bajwa also condoled the death of Chatrath and expressed his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family members.