Bombay High Court turns 150

Anyone who has ever visited the Bombay High Court will agree that there is an air of sobriety that prevails That is not surprising since matters of life and death are decided there every day It was with the same solemnity that bigwigs observed the sesquicentennial or 150th anniversary of the imposing building this week Milind Deora Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology released a special postal cover to mark the occasion A moment of pride Milind Deora in white released a special postal cover on the occasion PicsShadab Khan An exhibition that traces the history of this magnificent building is on at the central court on the second floor of the HC till September 16 The pieces on display include a court typewriter that dates back to 1900 a jury box which was discontinued after the Nanavati trial in 1956 and an ornately carved round cupboard usually placed in the judgersquos chambers Two39s company Mohit Shah Chief Justice of Bombay High Court delivers his speech to kickstart the sesquicentennial celebrations The letter that Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote way back in 1916 regarding the evidence in the Nashik Conspiracy Case hangs in a beautiful frame near one that Mohammed Ali Jinnah wrote when he applied for the post of a barrister Huge framed photographs and a miniature model of the High Court emphasize the structurersquos architectural beauty The exhibition is worth a visit for everyone who has ever hoped that justice will be served within its courtrooms An architect39s dream The grand arches tower over the audienceu00a0 The anniversary had several lawyers recollecting their fondest memories of the time they spent in the building Y P Singh advocate and author of the book Carnage Of Angels said ldquoIn 197677 I was a student at Elphinstone College On my way to college I would pass by the High Court It is a grand building with a grand entry We used to wonder why we never saw anyone walking through that entrance It was only later that I learnt that lawyers are not allowed to do so They have to enter the building from the rear gate Write right The courtroom typewriter circa 1900 PicsBipin Kokate Only judges can enter through the main gate Thatrsquos the paradox of the building My college is also a heritage building and whenever I entered it I felt a sense of awe It is the same feeling I get when I enter the High Courtrdquo A piece of history Bal Gangadhar Tilakrsquos 96yearold letter The rear entrance rule is something even former government pleader Kamlakar Belosay wonders about ldquoLandmark judgements which have changed the history of society ndash whether it is the beautification of Juhu beach the ban on hukka parlours or security measures for litigants at the HC ndash have been made here Yet one often wonders why the main entrance to the building is from its rear side Is it that all litigants can enter this temple of justice only from the back door Is it really about seeking justice or just for the sake of somebodyrsquos conveniencerdquo Picture perfect Rare photographs of the High Court through the decades When advocate Vinod Sampath enters the High Court it is with a sense of deep respect for the past ldquoThere is a plaque with the last words Bal Gangadhar Tilak spoke at his trial Tilak was accused of sedition When the jury found him guilty he said ldquoIn spite of the verdict of the Jury I maintain that I am innocent There are higher powers that rule the destinies of men and nations and I think it may be the will of Providence that the cause I represent may be benefited more by my suffering than by my pen and tonguerdquo I saw it for the first time in 1985 and have been in awe since then It teaches you that one should be brave and do onersquos duty without fear or favourrdquo Attention please Curious advocates read a scrollu00a0 Another advocate Ameet V Mehta is impressed with the architecture ldquoWhen you enter a courtroom at the Bombay High Court you actually feel like you are in a court mdash which is not the case with other courts The HC is an iconic buildingrdquo he says Taubon F Irani agrees Bird39s view A model of the Bombay High Court ldquoItrsquos an overwhelming experience to try at the High Court ndash the huge walls high ceilings wide corridorshellip itrsquos a class apart Earlier the doors and windows would be left open all the time It would be hot but also breezy as the windows were designed in such a way as to allow crossventilation Now all the rooms are airconditioned It gives you relief during the summer but I do know of one judge who prefers to switch off the AC and leave the doors open in the winterrdquo An exhibition on the history and heritage of the High Court is on at the court premises till September 16 Entry is free and open to the public from 11 am to 5 pm MondaySaturday Did you know The Bombay High Court was designed by General James A Fuller of the Royal Engineers It stands 169 metres tall with a tower that is 53 metres high The large arched porch at the entrance is flanked by two octagonal thirtysix metre high towers These towersrsquo pinnacles are made with white Porbander stone and are crowned with the statues of Justice and Mercy The pillared galleries are testimony to the skill of Indian stone masons ndash they have carved on them amusing images such as that of a fox wearing a barristerrsquos bands and a halfblind ape holding the scales of justice mdash Courtesy Ten Heritage Walks of Mumbai written by Fiona Fernandez and published by Rupa amp Co