Bold voice against corruption in judiciary, champion of secularism, constitutionalism

By Harsh Thakor

Senior advocate and one of India’s most prominent lawyers, Iqbal M. Chagla, passed away on January 12 in Mumbai at the age of 85. His contributions to the legal field were remarkable, leaving behind a lasting legacy. His death has created a void in the legal fraternity that is difficult to fill.

A role model for countless legal professionals, Chagla dedicated his life to upholding human rights and the rule of law. He exemplified erudition and ethics in legal practice until his last breath. He was a beacon of integrity and secularism, standing firm even as the judiciary faced increasing corruption and communal influence. His baritone voice, politeness, and eloquence left a lasting impression in judicial circles.

Born on March 7, 1939, Chagla was the son of M. C. Chagla, the first permanent Indian Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court (1948–58). After completing his Master's degree in History and Law at Cambridge University, he returned to Bombay to practice law at the Bombay High Court, where he flourished as a senior advocate. At the age of 39, he was offered a judgeship in the High Court and the Supreme Court, including the possibility of becoming the Chief Justice of India, but he declined these offers.

As president of the Bombay Bar Association from 1990 to 1999, Chagla took bold stands on significant issues. When the Justice Srikrishna Commission was set up to investigate the 1992–93 Bombay riots, he played a key role in ensuring that the association assisted the commission in uncovering the truth. The association filed affidavits on behalf of some victims, reflecting Chagla’s deep commitment to secularism and constitutional values. He continued to fight legal battles, including representing cases related to the Dawoodi Bohra sect dispute until just months before his passing. He also opposed the private sale of Mumbai’s mill lands and challenged unregulated billboards in the city.

Chagla was known as much for his legal acumen as for his fearless battle against judicial corruption. As President of the Bombay Bar Association, he led efforts in the 1990s to pass resolutions against six sitting judges, leading to their resignations. He personally petitioned the Supreme Court against unjust transfers of high court judges and always took principled and courageous stands, never intimidated by powerful interests.

In 1990, despite warnings that his actions could be deemed criminal contempt, he initiated resolutions against five sitting judges of the Bombay High Court, questioning their integrity and demanding their resignation. His defiance led to one judge resigning, two being transferred, and two being denied further judicial work. Five years later, he moved another resolution against a sitting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court over corruption charges, ultimately forcing the judge to resign.

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*Harsh Thakor is a freelance journalist. Micky Chagla was a close friend and legal associate of his late father, Sandip Thakor, who was also a practicing lawyer at the Bombay High Court. They worked together closely, and Chagla even addressed his father’s condolence meeting

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