Bombay Bar Association

We’re back — and starting Season 2 with a bang! Joining us for the premiere is none other than Justice Gautam Patel — retired judge of the Bombay High Court, writer par excellence, photographer, film aficionado and, of course, former Honorary Secretary of the BBA.

In conversation with Senior Advocate Shiraz Rustomjee, Justice Patel dives into topics that matter: the fight for environmental protection through law, the evolving boundaries of free speech in India, and why protecting our Fundamental Rights is more important than ever.

There’s plenty here for everyone — from aspiring judges and young lawyers to seasoned legal minds. And if you listen closely, you might even pick up a tip or two on how to write a great judgment (plus a sly joke about spotting typos).

Whether you’re prepping for a legal career or just love a good courtroom story, this one’s for you.

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Gautam Patel 

Host: Shiraz Rustomjee

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

Welcome to Season 2 of the Bombay Bar Association Podcast

In this season, we journey through the remarkable lives and careers of individuals from the broader legal fraternity who have played a pivotal role in shaping Indian jurisprudence. Through in-depth conversations and historical insights, we shine a light on the personalities and contributions that have defined the legacy of the Bombay High Court.

Season 2 celebrates the spirit and heritage of the Bombay Bar Association—an institution with a storied past and a vibrant legal community. Join us as we explore the human stories behind the law, and honour those whose dedication and vision continue to influence India's legal landscape.

The final episode is a rare coming together of two Advocate Generals, 

Dr. Birendra Saraf the incumbent Advocate General for the State of Maharashtra, and his senior, Mr. Ravi Kadam, former Advocate General for the State of Maharashtra. Both men share uniquely parallel lives - both their parents migrated to Bombay, their fathers were the first members of their family to pursue law, and as second generation lawyers they carved their own unique practice that could be distinguished from their illustrious fathers’ careers. Hosting this episode is the former Secretary of the Bombay Bar Association, Mr. Vishal Kanade, who was part of Mr. Kadam’s chamber. 

Justice Kathawalla candidly opens up about his journey into law and the path that led to him accepting judgeship. Talking to senior advocate (and well-known thespian) Darius Shroff, they explore the value of self belief and determination. From relying on the charity of others that supported his family and education as a child, to now providing scholarships and aid to less fortunate families, Justice Kathawalla’s story is truly inspiring. We also explore why he believes that in most cases, litigants through their advocates and the court, should first always explore a path to settlement.

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Shahrukh J. Kathawalla

Host: Sr. Adv. Darius Shroff 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 &Ishaan Devasthali 

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producers: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

From a humble middle class Maharashtran family, Justice Gupte was the first person in his family to pursue law, and was groomed by his grandfather from a very young age, not just to become a lawyer, but particularly to become a judge. Chatting with Sr. Adv. Darius Khambata, we explore Justice Gupte’s love for theatre and how there is a little bit of an actor in every lawyer and a bit of a director in every judge. He talks about the challenges he faced as a junior member of the bar, the qualities in a lawyer he looked for as a judge, as well as his views on the judiciary when it comes to fairness, honesty, and of course, justice.  

 

This video is an intellectual property belonging to the Bombay Bar Association. Any unauthorised usage of this video/script in any format is prohibited and will be subject to prosecution. 

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Suresh C. Gupte

Host: Sr. Adv. Darius Khambata

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 & Ishaan Devasthali  

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producers: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

Former Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Shiavax Vazifdar is in conversation with his former chamber colleague Sr. Adv. Pradeep Sancheti. They share the impact that their senior, Mr. Rohit Kapadia, had on their practice as a mentor and a guide, the importance of the chamber system and the value of spending time at the Bombay High Court Library. We are also given a peek into the wider role judges perform beyond passing orders and writing judgements. 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Shiavax Vazifdar

Host: Sr. Adv. Pradeep Sancheti

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 & Ishaan Devasthali 

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producers: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

We have the rare privilege of hosting this renaissance man, this polymath, in his first podcast interview ever. Hosted by his close friend, Sr. Adv. Fredun DeVitre, Justice Nariman shares the impact of moving to Delhi when his father was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India, working alongside the great Nani Palkhivala, and why according to him there is no case which is so bad that it cannot be argued. You will also be treated to an enthralling discussion on the Basic Structure Doctrine of the Constitution.

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman

Host: Sr. Adv. Fredun DeVitre 

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 & Ishaan Devasthali 

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producers: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

The 46th Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court is in conversation with the former President of the Bombay Bar Association and his chamber colleague Sr. Adv. Dr. Milind Sathe. They reminisce about the late D.R. Dhanuka’s chamber being a gurukul, the challenges he faced to establish himself as a lawyer and a judge, and how Justice R.D. Dhanuka learned the importance of giving every litigant a patient hearing in court.

 

This video is an intellectual property belonging to the Bombay Bar Association. Any unauthorised usage of this video/script in any format is prohibited and will be subject to prosecution. 

 

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Ramesh D. Dhanuka

Host: Sr. Adv. Dr. Milind Sathe

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 & Ishaan Devasthali 

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producers: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

Perhaps best known for heading the Srikrishna Commission that inquired into the 1992-93 Bombay Riots, Justice B.N. Srikrishna has led a long and fascinating legal career. Having put aside his ambitions of becoming a nuclear scientist, Srikrishna built a robust legal practice at the Bombay High Court that even saw him at the centre of a pivotal Bombay Mill Strike case. We find out the reason he took up judgeship in the middle of a crisis at the Bombay High Court, how he taught himself computer code and why he had to spend some time on a submarine when he was heading the 6th Pay Commission.

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice B.N.Srikrishna

Host: Sr. Adv. Venkatesh Dhond

Editorial Guidance: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & 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 & Ishaan Devasthali 

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Project Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producer: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios

On the first episode of the Bombay Bar Association Podcast, our guest is Justice Sujata Manohar. She was the first woman Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and the Kerala High Court and only the second woman ever to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. 

 

Justice Manohar takes us through the challenges she faced as one of the few women lawyers practising in the Bombay High Court when she joined the Bar in 1958; the pressure  of dealing with matters like riot commissions, reservations and human right abuses; and how the Vishaka Guidelines came to be - which are still relied upon today for dealing with harassment in the workplace.  

 

CREDITS:

Guest: Justice Sujata Manohar

Host: Sr. Adv. Nitin Thakker

Executive Director: Nitin Thakker

Special Thanks: Vishal Kanade & Firoz Bharucha

Concept & Creative Producer: Aditya Bapat

This is a Maed in India production.

Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome

Creative Head: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Audio Engineer & Editor: Kartik Kulkarni

Directed and edited by: Jishnu Guha

Camera Assistant: Ujjwal Lo

Research: Nirmal Bhansali

Assistant Producer: Meghna Gulati & Ruchi Sawardekar

Studio: Island City Studios