Bidding heartfelt adieu to Justice B P Dharmadhikari from juniors

The bar has its own way of judging the judges; farewells are a time when lawyers speak frankly and many expression opinions which they would not dare express when the judge was on the bench. But occasionally, junior lawyers pay tributes which matter, after all, juniors feel they are discriminated against by most judges. This tribute is therefore doubly significant not only because the author is a junior lawyer but also because he represents the voice of the marginalised.

JUSTICE Bhushan P Dharmadhikari the 44^th Chief Justice of Bombay High Court held his last sitting on April 27, 2020. Breaking the convention he decided to retire from Nagpur instead of Principal Seat at Bombay. He will be missed dearly by young lawyers, and more importantly by lawyers who come from marginalized communities and find this profession challenging for more reasons as against high castes, high class.

I have no doubt that there are many more who share the same affection towards him. I will and many more may have principle differences with him, but there will be no dispute that he was one of the most respected judges.

In the times when punctuality is much desired than practised, it was the court of Justice Dharmadhikari which would assemble 30 seconds before time. Athletic built, tall, determined look, shining face and with ever radiating energy he would enter the court hall. With the customary bow, he would take his chair with his companion judge.

Leaning forward, advancing his right hand for the brief, in sharp voice and signature command "Yes Mister!" he would ask the counsel to open the case. Once started, every matter would see some effective hearing, the matter would see some progress if not final disposal. Yet the board would end in the first half, most of the time.

Adjournment without good reason, you can imagine. Even heavy board, yet well-read. Well prepared with briefs. Respectful treatment to counsels and clients alike. No nonsense. If he is not convinced with your contentions, he will always ask if there is "anything else". I had a run-in when he discarded four of my contentions one after other and yet again asked me if I had any other additional contention before he could reject the petition in limine. I dared and requested for an adjournment, he flatly refused "not after so much of argument". I begged desperately "allow me to educate myself to see if there is any other facet in my favour, and come back to My Lords, even tomorrow would be kind". Giving a good stare through his squeezed eyes holding flavour of disappointment, he agreed "alright! one last chance, but Mr Rathod no repetition, Friday!". On that Friday, my additional contention found favour with him, however, he admonished "this should have been your first contention mister" he issued notices, eventually, another bench allowed my petition.