Sobha Singh – Delhi’s famous builder and contractor who was a witness for prosecution in the 1929 Assembly Bomb Case

Who was one of the prime witnesses who identified and testified against Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt for bombs at the Delhi assembly in 1929? His single statement played an important role in giving death sentence to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru at very young age. He was also accused as a betrayer for telling the truth. He was then the principle contractor and builder of New Delhi for British in the 1920s. He was none other than Sobha Singh, father of famous Indian writer and lawyer Khushwant Singh.

Sir Sobha Singh (1890 – 1978) was born into a rich family of traders who owned vast farms. His village Hadali in Khushab, Shahpur District is now a part of Pakistan, and after partition the whole family including his younger brother, Sardar Ujjal Singh – noted politician and administrator moved to India. Sobha was already an established contractor then. His association with British in constructing New Delhi was during the period, 1911–1930.

Sobha Singh – Some interesting facts

1. He was a descendant of Bhai Sangat Singh, a Chamkaur Sahib martyr in 1705.

2. His younger brother Ujjal Singh was a well-known politician, parliamentarian, financial expert and administrator who served as the governor of Punjab and Tamil Nadu in the 1960s for a brief term.

3. Noted Bollywood actress Amrita Singh is his great-granddaughter. Thus he is related to Pataudi royal family.

4. His son backed his father’s decision to testify against Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt in Delhi assembly bomb case in 1929. He has always shielded his father from controversies.