On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Bombay High Court, the author pays rich tribute to the stalwarts of the Bombay Bar who were fearless in their fight for the Country’s independence and also in the fight for preserving the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The Tax Bar has contributed in its own little way towards the development of tax laws and the process of building the Nation while keeping the flag of the Bombay High Court flying high, says the author, and implores all professionals to emulate the Stalwarts and work for the benefit of the Nation.
Bombay High Court which was established on 14th August 1862 has celebrated its 150 years Anniversary. On this memorable occasion a publication was published by Maharashtra Judicial Academy & Indian Mediation Centre and Training Institute, titled “ A Heritage of Judging”. The Bombay High Court through one hundred and fifty years. An Exhibition is being held from 14th August 2012 to 2nd October 2012. The historical items, patriotic pictures which were displayed in the exhibition made me and many of our fellow lawyers feel proud that we are Advocates of Bombay High Court wherein our father of Nation Shri Mohandass Karmchand Gandhi, Mr. M.A. Jinnah, founding father of Pakistan, Dr B.R. Ambedkar who drafted the Constitution of India , and many more legal luminaries practiced. I thanked the destiny for making me a lawyer of Bombay High Court.
It is heartening to note that the publication which was released on the occasion of 150th Anniversary contains contributions from eminent Judges and from the legal luminaries . The object of writing this editorial is that, I desire that each and every professional, judicial Officers and law students must read this classic publication which is an eye opener to know about the great traditional value and ethics followed by the Judges and lawyers of Bombay High Court and their Contribution in the process of Nation building before independence and thereafter.
Honourable Justice Mohit S. Shah, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court in his “Foreword” gave a great tribute to the Bar. Honourable Justice Dr .D.Y. Chandrachud in his thought provoking article “The Challenges of Judging” shared his thoughts on the subject which deserves to be read by all Judicial officers of the Country. Mr. Goolam E. Vahanvati in his article “A Great Tradition” shared his experience how the great judges, great lawyers , great solicitors, maintained the high standards of the Bar, the great degree of professionalism and dedication. He shared his experience stating that once you practice in the Bombay High Court you fall in love with the Court. That is one love affair which lasts forever. Justice Mr . B.N. Srikrishan in his article titled “ Keep the flag flying High” quoted the words of Justice Mr . Bharucha “ Keep the flag of the Bombay High Court flying high”. “ That should be the endeavor of all members of the Bench and Bar today, and for all times to come. That, indeed , would be the fittest tribute to this great institution. Mr. Avinash J Rana in His Article “ Chief Justice M.C.Chagla” has paid rich tribute to the first Indian permanent Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, an office he adorned for eleven long years until October 1958.According to him, that was a golden period and under his stewardship , the Bombay High Court was recognized as the premier High Court in the Country. Mr Fali S. Nariman in his article “150 years of the Bombay High Court “Some Rambling Reflections” made an appeal to lawyers and judges and citizens, to help maintain the independence and integrity of the High Court of Bombay. Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee in his article “Greatness of the Bombay High Court” has expressed his firm view that he has no doubt that Bombay High Court will continue to play its true role in the years to come and make or rather maintain its position as the urbs prima in India. Mr. Iqbal M Chagla in his article “ The Renaissance Men in Robes”, highly appreciated the contribution of Bombay High Court to the Judiciary and legal profession, he also referred to the fact that the first Chief Justice of India, the first Attorney General, the First Solicitor General of India, were all products of this court .The Bombay bar has given to the Supreme Court seven Chief Justices, six Attorney Generals and seven Solicitor Generals , not to mention the large number of other Judges of the Supreme Court. He acknowledged the contribution of Shri Palkivala for the development of constitution law and stated that it is no exaggeration to say that if today we have a constitution whose basic structure is intact and unamendable and our fundamental rights inviolate , it is entirely due to Mr. Palkhivala. Mr. Darius J Khambata in his article “Jamshedji & Bhulabhai ; two mighty Rivers” referred to Bhulabhai’s definition of the duties of a lawyer which has much relevance today. Addressing the law students he said:
“Patriotism is not a dry word ,it is an obligation that you owe to society .The higher function of a lawyer and it is that alone that gives dignity to the otherwise sorry profession is what he owes to society , namely the freedom, the honour and sanctity of the property of his land possessed by himself. I would appeal to you to make it your future duty”
Mr. B.A. Palkhivala in his article which he wrote from his heart about Mr N.A. Palkhivala “This was a Man”, He referred one of the Judges of the famous Fundamental Rights case, i.e. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Keral (1973) 4 SCC 225 in April 1973 who referring to Nani’s address observed “Never before in the history of the Court has there been a performance like that.” “Such arguments will not be heard in this court for centuries to come” “A forensic feat that will perhaps never be equaled, advocacy and eloquence of unparalleled merit in the entire history of the world” Justice H.R. Khanna referring to Nani’s address said “It was not Nani who spoke ,it was divinity speaking through him .Later I asked some of my brother judges for their reaction , and all of them were of same opinion”. Justice Mr. M L Pendse in his article “Some Memories of Years Gone By” stated that the Bombay High Court was always treated with great respect and admiration by the legal fraternity all over the country. The Court always gave leading interpretations of Hindu law, Tax laws and Labour laws. Mr Rafique Dada in his article “Some Thoughts on the 150 years of the Bombay High Court” shared his rich experience and appreciated that there are young Judges today on the Bench carrying great ideas and great promise. He stated that, many of us spent decades in the Court . Today , as one enters the buildings of the Bombay High Court, one finds lawyers of every age group .One finds young bright lawyers, who came to court with a lot of hope and expectation .These bright faces including of those sitting on the Bench will carry the court forward further into the 21st Century. Mr Arvind Datar in his article “The Challenges to the Justice Delivery System- Ten New steps.” Conclusion opined that each year, the system is increasingly failing to deliver justice. One must not forget the warning of the great Judge Learned Hand “If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: though shall not ration justice.” He desired that the court must be able to dispose matters within two or three years. According to him unless we act decisively, in a few years from now there would be no justice left to ration.
Justice Mrs Roshan S Dalvi in her short and sweet Article “Looking Back -ward; Going Forward” has stressed the need of integrity, impartiality, industry, independence, intelligence –the 5 I’s needed to eradicate deception, cheating betrayal and lies. Mr. Fali S. Nariman in his article “150 years of the Bombay High Court–Some Rambling Reflections” made an appeal to lawyers, judges, citizens –to help maintain the independence and integrity of the High Court of Bombay .
One cannot forget the tribute paid by former Prime Minister of India ,on the occasion of the release of the Postage Stamp to commemorate Shri N.A. Palkivala on 16th January, 2004. The then Prime Minister of India Honourable Atal Behari Vajapayee stated –“In those dark days, the battle for democracy was fought by many people in many different ways .Many of us in politics under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayanan fought it in prisons . But I have no doubt that one of the finest battles was fought in the court rooms and that fighter was Nani Palkhivala”. It is worth remembering that for the first time in the history of our Country, Honourable Prime Minster of India came to Mumbai only to release the Postage Stamp to commemorate of Shri N.A. Palkivala, who was past President of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Bar Association of Mumbai and under his blessing the All India Federation of Tax Consultants was formed , in the year 1976.
We are very proud that the Tax Bar has contributed immensely for the development of tax laws, and to keep the flag of the Bombay High Court flying high and in the process of building the Nation, therefore as a contribution of the tax Bar in commemoration of 150th Anniversary of Bombay High Court we have dedicated our publication titled “ Digest of case laws –Direct taxes including Allied laws A tax companion 2003-2011”, which was released on 12 the September 2012. On behalf of All India Federation of Tax Practitioners and ITAT Bar Association I salute the 150th Anniversary of Bombay High Court, Stalwarts of the Bombay Bar who were pioneers for Independence of India, drafting Constitution of India and who fought for preserving basic structure of Indian Constitution and who kept the flag of Bombay High Court flying High. Let us make an honest attempt to keep the flag of the Bombay High Court flying high.
Jai hind
Dr. K. Shivaram
Editor-in-Chief
Reproduced with permission from the AIFTP Journal, September 2012
Justice Hand said.. ‘Thou shall not ration justice’ (‘though’ crept in by error in arvid datar statement above quoted). incidentally i am also a member of Bombay Bar since 2000.
Nani Palkiwala has very wisely contributed in Tax laws.
today section 143 of IT Act is not properly implemented by taxmen, from 19 december 1991 under departmental circular it said ‘ 12 months mandatory rule from the date of filing of return by assessees is vital’ as the CBDT said ‘AO/ITOs have to follow the rule scrupulously as govt does not give ample room for officers to take on assessees as the officers need to follow the rule scrupulously, as it is equally important for officers to scrupulously follow Audi Alteram oartem principle’ and if not followed it is a clear violation of article 14 of the constitution of india which violation may set aside officers orders too !
Anyway this is one of the great indian high courts. i humbly submit to this august asociaion and the Bombay high court on the occasion of my birtgh day on 17 december in a next 3 days!. thanks.
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Patriotism, integrity and dignity are coming from the selfishness and think about socialism. This is the society that honour the people for their admire work. The justice should be judging from the words of facts of the case by applying the law. We the professional like Nani Palkhivala who interpretate the law accordingly and applied on the facts of the case. Justice and judgment is in the facts of the case not in the law. Because we follow the law made before 18th century and in todays we are living in global scenario.
An illuminating article!!!! highly inspiring!!!