Law
Burning the midnight oil
"Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla (pictured) is literally burning the midnight oil to do his bit to reduce judicial delays,” reported The Times of India of April 27, 2018. Whilst the Bombay High Court judge is known to routinely stay back late after the official closing 
hour of 5 p.m., on April 25, the last matter in his court room No. 20 was called out at 11.52 p.m., stated The Indian Express of April 28. Advocate Sujay Kantawalla who appeared in the last matter was quoted by the Times as stating he had "never seen court this late. It was an awesome experience” to witness the Gothic structure at that hour.
As per a notice issued by the prothonotary and senior master, Kathawalla would hear "only those matters…where the parties agree to proceed by consent. If either party is not present or is not inclined to consent, the matter will be placed on the next working day on the production board.” Whilst the judge’s staff including court clerks, stenographers and peons too were expected to stay back late, those residing in the suburbs were exempted.
Since Kathawalla succeeded in finishing his entire board of ad interim (fresh) matters on April 25, some lawyers were hopeful that he would list even some final hearing matters to ensure that a verdict is passed.
According to advocate Naushad Engineer, "The last time any lawyers were in court at midnight was in 1947 during Independence!”
hour of 5 p.m., on April 25, the last matter in his court room No. 20 was called out at 11.52 p.m., stated The Indian Express of April 28. Advocate Sujay Kantawalla who appeared in the last matter was quoted by the Times as stating he had "never seen court this late. It was an awesome experience” to witness the Gothic structure at that hour.As per a notice issued by the prothonotary and senior master, Kathawalla would hear "only those matters…where the parties agree to proceed by consent. If either party is not present or is not inclined to consent, the matter will be placed on the next working day on the production board.” Whilst the judge’s staff including court clerks, stenographers and peons too were expected to stay back late, those residing in the suburbs were exempted.
Since Kathawalla succeeded in finishing his entire board of ad interim (fresh) matters on April 25, some lawyers were hopeful that he would list even some final hearing matters to ensure that a verdict is passed.
According to advocate Naushad Engineer, "The last time any lawyers were in court at midnight was in 1947 during Independence!”
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