Bombay High Court: Hitting the high notes

Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati, the country's top law officer,  has been associated with the Bombay High court since August 1972. He was the Advocate General for the State of Maharashtra from the year 1999 to 2004 and then elevated to become the Solicitor General. Vahanvati tells DNA about the early days of the Bombay High Court, how it developed over the 150 years, and why he feels at home while arguing a case at the high court.

What were the earlier days at the HC like?
The Bombay High court when it started in the year 1862, had only five judges. Earlier there was only the Supreme Court or Sadar Adalats, both had its own deficiencies and their inadequacy as a court of plenary jurisdiction was borne upon the authorities in England. Thus in the year 1861 that the Indian High court Act came into existence. Then the Queen had the powers to set up courts and accordingly the Bombay High court was established. The high court was first housed in a building on Apollo Street near the Old Customs House. Later it moved to the present heritage building in the year 1878. There was no Marine Drive a 100 years ago, water used to come up to the Oval Maidan. The litigants were allowed entry from the Fort side while the judges entered from the Oval Side.

Who were the people you worked with? 
There were giants like JC Bhatt, Ashok Sen, under whom I worked. They were task masters, I remember working for 18 hours a day, researching and referring to reach one judgment which could help me. Judges encouraged juniors to argue in court.

Who were the tough cookies in the court?
In his autobiography CH Setalavad mentions about English barrister Anstey. He was a member of the parliament couldn't get along with the government. He was then sent to Hong Kong as advocate general where he had a fight with the judges there and then started practicing in the Bombay High court. He had a fight with his Solicitor and all solicitors boycotted him. He then argued himself for two days, why he should be permitted to appear without solicitor. The court ruled against him.