Om Mehta

Om Mehta (born c. 1927, died 1995) was an Indian politician, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress party, and a close confidant of Indira Gandhi. He served multiple terms as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehta held several important ministerial portfolios in the Indian government during the 1970s and 1980s, including Minister of State for Home Affairs. His tenure in this role coincided with the Emergency period (1975-1977), and he became a controversial figure due to his alleged involvement in political repression and human rights abuses during that time. He was accused of using his power to suppress dissent and detain political opponents.

Following the Emergency, Mehta remained a significant figure within the Congress party. He continued to serve in Parliament and held various ministerial positions under subsequent governments. His political career spanned several decades, and he remained active in Indian politics until his death in 1995. His legacy is complex, marked by both significant political influence and controversy surrounding his actions during the Emergency.