Bombay Bar Association

In this episode of the Bombay Bar Association podcast, our current president  Nitin Thakker sits down with two former presidents of the association, Mr. Rafique Dada and Mr. Rohit Kapadia. The discussion covers their childhoods growing up around the legal profession, their initial entries into practice, and fond memories of working alongside notable seniors and judges. They also recount the Bombay Bar Association's international delegations to the UK and California, which helped pave the way for early mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) initiatives in India. Concluding with valuable insights on the importance of hard work, intellect, and integrity, the guests share an inspiring message for the younger generation of lawyers and future leadership to uphold the independent legacy of the bar.

CREDITS:
Guest: Mr. Rafique Dada and Mr. Rohit Kapadia
Host: Nitin Thakker

Audio Podcast Narrator: Aditya Bapat

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker
Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha
Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

This is a Maed in India production.
Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome
Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar
Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha
Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash
Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo
Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil
Assistant Producer: Aditi Sutar
Studio: Island City Studios

Maharashtra’s current Advocate General Dr. Milind Sathe joins legendary criminal lawyer Amit Desai to share his life story, from a remote village school to the state's top legal post. Drawing on the mentorship of his senior D.R. Dhanuka, he unpacks his philosophy of providing the right legal advice independent of political coalitions. Dr. Sathe offers insider perspectives on the landmark 1980s Hindutva election trials, the weaponisation of modern PILs, and his defence of the Coastal Road project. Reflecting on impactful pro bono victories and the Bombay Bar Association's rich history, he highlights why lawyers must remain independent guardians of the rule of law.

CREDITS:
Guest: Dr. Milind Sathe
Host: Amit Desai

Audio Podcast Narrator: Aditya Bapat

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker
Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha
Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

This is a Maed in India production.
Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome
Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar
Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha
Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash
Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo
Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil
Assistant Producer: Aditi Sutar
Studio: Island City Studios

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai joins Arif Bookwala to share his remarkable journey from a municipal primary school to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. Drawing on the socio-economic philosophy of his father, R.S. Gavai, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Justice Gavai speaks of tackling the nation's biggest legal controversies. He offers insider perspectives on the collegium system, his stance on the creamy layer in reservations, and his landmark judgment halting the executive overreach of bulldozer justice. He reflects on high-profile political bails and highlights why courts must remain independent guardians of the rule of law.

CREDITS:
Guest: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai
Host: Advocate Arif Bookwala

Audio Podcast Narrator: Aditya Bapat

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker
Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha
Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

This is a Maed in India production.
Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome
Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar
Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha
Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash
Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo
Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil
Assistant Producer: Aditi Sutar
Studio: Island City Studios

In this episode, the 50th Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y.  Chandrachud is in conversation with Senior Advocate and former President of the Bombay Bar Association, Mr. Rafique Dada. He reflects on the defining moments of his journey, from learning his craft at the feet of legal titans to delivering judgments that have redefined fundamental rights in modern India.

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice D.Y.  Chandrachud

Host: Mr. Rafique Dada.

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Chetan Kapadia

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Rachna Sukuru

Studio: Canopy Studios

In this special episode, we are joined by two stalwarts of the Bombay Bar, Mr. Avinash Rana and Mr. Janak Dwarkadas. Through the extraordinary recollections of Mr. Rana, we turn the pages of our nation’s political and legal history. After more than seven decades at the Bar and at the remarkable age of 98, Mr. Rana continues to come to court with undiminished vigour and conviction. Beyond the courtroom, he is celebrated for revealing the human dimension of the law: its personalities, its untold anecdotes, and the legacies that too often lie dormant in dusty archives.

CREDITS:

Guest: Mr. Avinash Rana

Host: Mr. Janak Dwarkadas

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Firoz Bharucha

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Rachna Sukuru

Studio: Island City Studios

 

Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka’s judicial journey is defined by discipline, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to constitutional values.

 

In this episode, speaking with our Honorary Secretary, Farhan Dubash, Justice Oka reflects on his early practice in Thane and the influences that shaped his appetite for reading and the law. He speaks about his years at the Bombay High Court, where his reputation for fairness and meticulous preparation grew, and his time as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also shares insights from his tenure at the Supreme Court, where his judgments consistently upheld individual rights and strengthened constitutional principles.

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Abhay Oka

Host: Justice Farhan Dubash

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Aditya Bapat

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Naushad Engineer & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Studio: Island City Studios

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit's career embodies a rare blend of technical legal brilliance, ethical conviction, and reformist vision. Rising directly from the Bar to Supreme Court Bench a path reserved for only a select few. He brought with him the sharpness of a practicing lawyer, the discipline of courtroom advocacy, and the ability to see law not merely as text, but as a living tool of justice.

In this episode, he opens up to Senior Advocate Chetan Kapadia, Justice Lalit began his career in the Bombay High Court before moving to Delhi to work under the legendary Soli Sorabjee. His courtroom advocacy, especially in criminal law, earned him a stellar reputation for precision and restraint. Appointed Senior Advocate in 2004, he would go on to represent the CBI in the high-profile 2G spectrum cases before his elevation to the bench in 2014.

As a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Lalit was known for his lucid reasoning, respect for individual rights, and balanced approach to complex legal questions. Whether it was his stance on procedural safeguards in SC/ST Act cases, nuanced views on sentencing in death penalty matters, or his role in the landmark Triple Talaq judgment, his opinions always reflected a deep commitment to justice — not just in form, but in substance.

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Uday Lalit

Host: Chetan Kapadia

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Firoz Bharucha

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Farhan Dubash & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Lakshman Parsuram & Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Quoyina Ghosh

Studio: Island City Studios

In this episode Justice Rebello is in conversation with Naushad Engineer, Senior Advocate. He recounts his journey, which includes a stint as an activist, a legislator elected during the post-Emergency Janata wave in 1977, and leader of movements like the Goa fishermen’s agitation, which even led to his imprisonment!

As a judge of the Bombay High Court and later Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Rebello was known for his clarity, compassion, and fairness. His courtroom prioritised reasoned debate, and his judgments influenced key areas such as labor rights, environmental protection, and urban planning.

Do subscribe to the Bombay Bar Association YouTube channel so that you don't miss an episode. You can also listen to the audio podcast that dives a bit deeper.

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Ferdino Rebello

Host: Naushad Engineer

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Firoz Bharucha

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Farhan Dubash & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Lakshman Parsuram & Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Quoyina Ghosh

Studio: Island City Studios

In this special episode, we host Mr. Soli Dastur, one of India’s most esteemed and influential tax counsel. Widely respected for his exceptional legal acumen, unwavering integrity, and decades of mentorship within the legal and tax communities, Mr. Dastur reflects on his remarkable journey through the profession. In a candid and engaging conversation with his former junior and fellow Senior Advocate, Mr. Porus Kaka, he shares enduring insights into his legal philosophy, the values that define great advocacy, and the importance of building a tax system founded on fairness, trust, and transparency. A must-watch.

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Advocate Sohrab “Soli” Dastur

Host: Advocate Porus Kaka

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Firoz Bharucha 

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Farhan Dubash & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Lakshman Parsuram & Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Quoyina Ghosh

Studio: Island City Studios

In this episode of the Bombay Bar Association Podcast, we are joined by Justice A.P. Shah, one of India’s most respected jurists and a champion of progressive constitutionalism. A former Chief Justice of the Delhi and Madras High Courts and Chairman of the 20th Law Commission, Justice Shah shares insights from his distinguished career in a thoughtful conversation with Senior Advocate Gaurav Joshi. They discuss his judicial philosophy, the influence of his school in Solapur on his attitude towards freedom of speech, and landmark judgments, including the Naz Foundation case, the judicial assets RTI ruling, and more. This episode is essential viewing for law students, aspiring judges, and legal professionals engaged with constitutional law and the pursuit of justice.

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice A.P. Shah

Host: Gaurav Joshi

 

Audio Podcast Narrator: Aditya Bapat 

 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Farhan Dubash & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

 

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Sound Designer & Mixing Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Sound Editors : Lakshman Parsuram & Nihar Temkar

Director and Editor: Jishnu Guha

Animation: Pratik Belote & Kurush Dubash

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Assistant Producer: Quoyina Ghosh

Studio: Island City Studios