:dateline:Sir Mota Singh QC, the United Kingdom’s first Sikh and ethnic minority judge passed away today at the ripe age of 86.
Sir Mota Singh was the�first person from a minority ethnic group and first Judge to sit on the English Bench wearing a turban instead of a horse-hair wig.
He joined the English bar in 1967 and made headlines with his appointment to the bench in 1982.�In 2010, Sir Mota Singh received knighthood from�the Queen, for his services to the Judiciary and for charitable works.
Sir Mota Singh was known to be a devout Sikh.�He has venerably�served�the Guru Granth Sahib at his home. Even when serving on the Bench, he would get up at 2am and after bathing, would recite Japji Sahib.�
With his advanced years now, he still performs the same task albeit somewhat later than 2 am. At night he recites Kirtan Sohela before retiring to bed.
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