Court rooms are a fertile source of humour. Amidst the regular humdrum of daily court room proceedings, humour props up unexpectedly, sometimes on account of the wit of an Advocate or a Judge and sometimes on account of an innocent remark of a litigant or a witness.
'Humour in Court' is an endeavour of the Information Technology & Artificial Intelligence Committee of the High Court of Delhi to capture such moments and preserve them for posterity.
How to get your posts published?
Any litigant/Advocate desirous of getting his post published on this page is requested to send it to delhihighcourt@nic.in with the subject, 'Humour in Court'.
After screening by the designated committee of the High Court of Delhi, it will be posted here.
An alumnus of The Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, Tushar Rao Gedela was born on 18th July 1967. He pursued Political Science (Hons) from Deshbandhu Gupta College, Delhi University followed by BA LLB from Meerut University in 1993. He enrolled with the Delhi Bar Council in the year 1994.
He started his professional journey at the District Courts at Tis Hazari and learnt the nuances of Civil, Criminal and Family side jurisdictions and soon thereafter joined the office of Shri M. Chandrashekharan, former Additional Solicitor General of India in 1997 and handled matters relating to Customs and Excise. Thereafter he was associated with the office of Former Chief Justice of Shimla High Court, Justice M N Rao (Retd.) where he was exposed to Service matters apart from others. He primarily practiced in the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court, TDSAT and Armed Forces Tribunal.
He was appointed as Central Government Counsel in Delhi High Court in the year 2000 till 2003 and appointed as Senior Panel Counsel for Central Government at Delhi High Court in 2014, Panel ‘A’ Counsel for the Supreme Court of India in 2015 and retained these positions till his designation as Senior Advocate in the month of March, 2021. Appointed as Permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court on 18/05/2022.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora
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Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora was born to a business family in the year 1974. She was raised and educated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She attended Mount Carmel High School upto Class Xth and thereafter completed her schooling from St. Xavier’s High School, Loyola Hall in the year 1991.
In the year 1994, she graduated from H.L. College of Commerce, Gujarat University with a B. Com degree. She obtained her LL.B. degree in the year 1997 from Sir L.A. Shah Law College, Gujarat University.
After completing her education, she moved to Delhi and enrolled as an Advocate with Bar Council of Delhi in 1997.
She practised as an independent litigator and appeared regularly before the High Court of Delhi. She worked extensively in the areas of civil litigation, commercial disputes, company law, arbitrations and thus, practised on the original side of the High Court. She also handled matters relating to administrative law.
She appeared before the Supreme Court, different High Courts, National Company Law Tribunal, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, arbitrations and other civil courts as well.
During 25 years at the Bar, she has been appointed as Sole Arbitrator, Amicus Curiae and Court Commissioner from time to time by the High Court of Delhi. She has been an external member of the sexual harassment committees of various organisations.
She was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the High Court of Delhi on 18.05.2022.
Justice Sachin Datta
Justice Sachin Datta
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Justice Sachin Datta was born on 15th August, 1973 in Delhi. After completing his schooling from Delhi Public School, RK Puram in 1991, he graduated from St. Stephens College, Delhi University in 1994. He then pursued law and graduated from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, in 1997 and got enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi.
As a lawyer, he handled a wide variety of cases across practice areas. He represented several prominent public sector undertakings in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India. He also practised extensively on the original side of the Delhi High Court. He acted as counsel in several landmark litigations in the field of Intellectual Property as also in several prominent International Arbitration matters.
Justice Datta was the Central Government Standing Counsel in the Delhi High Court for several years, and as such, represented the Central Government in a wide variety of litigation. He also appeared for the Central Government in the Supreme Court and before various Tribunals constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the High Court of Delhi in August 2014.
He has published various papers and has also been a speaker at various international events.
Appointed as a Permanent Judge of the High Court of Delhi on 18th May, 2022.
Justice Amit Mahajan
Justice Amit Mahajan
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Appointed as Judge of Delhi High Court on 18th May, 2022.
Justice Saurabh Banerjee
Justice Saurabh Banerjee
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Born on 20th January, 1976 in Delhi. He is a second generation lawyer after his father, Mr. Bhawani Shankar Banerjee, Advocate.
After completing his schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi in 1993, he graduated in B.A. English (Hons.) from the University of Delhi in 1996 and then obtained his LL.B. degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi in 1999. He enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1999.
While practicing, he was dealing in matters relating to intellectual property right laws, arbitration laws, commercial disputes laws, constitution laws, property laws, rent laws, service laws, family (matrimonial & custody) laws, labour laws and criminal laws before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, various Hon’ble High Court/s and District Court/s, Forum/s and Tribunal/s across India. He was also appointed as an Arbitrator, Delhi International Arbitration Centre, Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; a Mediator, Delhi High Court Mediation Centre, Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; Group ‘A’ Panel Advocate, Union of India before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India; Standing Counsel, National Highways Authority of India before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; General Counsel, Hon’ble High Court of Delhi before Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; General Counsel, University of Delhi before Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; General Counsel, Indira Gandhi National Open University before Hon’ble High Court of Delhi; and General Counsel, Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee before Hon’ble High Court of Delhi. He was involved in the landmark judgments relating to Section 364A of Indian Penal Code, 1860 before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and Section 52(1) of the Copyright Act, 1957 before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and was also interviewed by media and publication houses from time to time on diverse topics.
He was elevated as a Judge of Hon’ble High Court of Delhi on 18th May, 2022.
Justice Anish Dayal
Justice Anish Dayal
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Anish Dayal was born in 1973 at Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and did his initial schooling there at St. Joseph College. He completed schooling from Delhi Public School, Noida, where he was selected as the Head Boy. Thereafter, he graduated in B.Sc.(Hons.) Physics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University and then read for his law degree with M.A. (Hons.) at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, U.K., as a commonwealth scholar.
He enrolled as an Advocate with the Delhi Bar Council in September, 1995 and had his independent legal practice primarily before the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Delhi for over 25 years - predominantly in civil, constitutional and commercial law with special focus in areas of media, entertainment and sports law. He was a visiting faculty resource at many law schools in India and authored the Section on Damages (Vol. 9 Halsbury’s Laws of India) and of other books on sports and media.
He wrote periodically for newspapers and journals and for some time contributed a regular column on law for Live Mint and TheWall Street Journal. He conceived, curated and was part of the Editorial Board of Quarterly Bar Review, a journal of the Delhi High Court Bar Association.He also devoted his time to policy related issues inter aliaon road safety, heritage conservation, environment and sustainability and represented a number of national level athletes on a pro bono basis.
He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in March, 2021 and elevated to the Bench on 2nd June, 2022.
Justice Amit Sharma
Justice Amit Sharma
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Amit Sharma was born on 7th July, 1972. He completed his Senior Secondary School from Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, New Delhi in 1989. He completed his Graduation in BA History (H.) from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi in 1992. After completing his LL.B from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi in 1995, he got enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi.
He started his profession on the Criminal side appearing before the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and Trial Courts. In 1999 he was awarded British Chevening Scholarship by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK, for Corporate Law at College of Law, York 1999-2000.
He was elected as Addl. Secretary, New Delhi Bar Association (2004-2005).
He was appointed Additional Public Prosecutor for NCT of Delhi before Hon’ble Delhi High Court (2007-2010).
He was appointed as Spl. Public Prosecutor for the National Investigation Agency in 2010. As Spl. PP he handled prosecution relating to national security involving scheduled terrorist organisations. In his capacity as Spl. PP he was also actively involved in extradition proceedings on behalf of NIA.
He was elected Member of Bar Council of Delhi in 2009 and held the post of Vice Chairman (2014-2015). As member of Bar Council nominated to the Governing Council and Executive Committee of National Law University, Delhi.
He was elected to the post of Hony. Secretary, Delhi High Court Bar Association (2016-2019).
Nominated as member of Special Committee, Bar Council of Delhi U/S 8A of Advocates Act, 1961 in 2017.
He was designated as Senior Advocate by Hon’ble Delhi High Court in March, 2021.
Appointed as Additional Judge of High Court of Delhi on 02.06.2022 and became permanent Judge on 06.03.2023.
Justice Girish Kathpalia
Justice Girish Kathpalia
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After graduating in B.Sc.(Hons.) Zoology from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi, graduated in LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University in1989. Got enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi and practiced as Advocate across various jurisdictions in Delhi District Courts, Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. Worked as Govt.Counsel for Govt.of NCT of Delhi as well as for Union of India. Also served as Lecturer(part-time) in Campus Law Centre, Delhi University during 1995-98. Got published more than 200 articles, essays and research papers on various legal, social, scientific and political issues. Compiled and got published booklets on various enactments. Authored book titled: Criminology and Prison Reforms (published by Lexis Nexis). Worked as Chief Editor of “Evidence-1989” (magazine of Campus Law Center, Delhi University) and as Editor of “Nyayapravah” (magazine of AkhilBharatiyaAdhivaktaParishad). Joined as directly recruited Delhi Higher Judicial Service officer in 2002 and presided over different jurisdictions including Additional District Judge, Additional Sessions Judge, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Labour Court and NDPS Court. Also served as Registrar General, Delhi High Court; as Principal Judge, Family Court; as District & Sessions Judge, South-East; and as Principal District & Sessions Judge, Head-Quarter, Delhi. Got elevated as Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court on 1st May, 2023.
Justice Manoj Jain
Justice Manoj Jain
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(Date of Birth: 28th December 1964)
Graduating at the top from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, Haryana, earned his LL.B. from Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 1986, once again achieving the highest distinction.
He joined the Delhi Judicial Service in 1992 and was promoted to the Delhi Higher Judicial Service in 2003 and presided over a wide range of jurisdictions, including Civil, Criminal, and Family Law. He is also a Fellow of Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In addition to his judicial roles, he served as the Director (Academics) at the Delhi Judicial Academy, Registrar General of the High Court of Delhi, before his elevation.
Sworn in as Additional Judge of Delhi High Court on 1st May, 2023 and as Permanent Judge of Delhi High Court on 22nd July, 2024.
Justice Dharmesh Sharma
Justice Dharmesh Sharma
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Born on 9th June, 1963 at Delhi, Shri Dharmesh Sharma, B. Com (Hons) from Kirorimal College in the year 1984, and completed LL.B and LL.M from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi in the year 1987 and 2001 respectively. He practiced on the Civil & Service Law / Labour Law side and was Additional Standing Counsel for U.O.I. He joined the Bench in the cadre of Delhi Judicial Services on 20th October, 1992 and promoted to the cadre of Delhi Higher Judicial Service on 06th August, 2003. Appointed as Principal District & Sessions Judge, West District w.e.f., 1st June, 2019 and before elevation to the High Court of Delhi was posted as PD&SJ, New Delhi District w.e.f., 20th March, 2022.
During his long tenure in judicial service, he exercised various jurisdiction such as Metropolitan Magistrate, Extradition Judge, Civil Judge, Rent Controller, Presiding Officer MACT, terrorists matters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act & National Investigation Act; Special Judge CBI and as Special Judge for POCSO Act, MCOC Act and also dealing with SEBI Act, FERA Act, Food Safety and Standard Act besides various penal enactments apart from functioning as the Principal Family Court Judge, Central District (2017 to 2019).
He is trained Mediator and Master Trainer having taken his Master Training Programme from CEDR, U.K in the year 2007; and since then travelled to various States in India for imparting training in mediation to Lawyers, Judges and other sections of Society and also for ADR awareness programme.
He was on deputation as Secretary, Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee (2007 -2009), and later on deputation as the Member Secretary with the Delhi State Legal Services Authority during the period 2014-2017 involved in optimizing legal aid services, development of infrastructure, promotion of ADR and legal awareness programmes besides involved in jail reforms and strengthening juvenile justice delivery system in Delhi.
He has been involved in various Administrative duties such as computerization of Delhi District Courts, e-filing, e-courts, setting up of e-stamp facilities apart from functioning as the Chairman, Central Recruitment Committee during period 2017 to 2023. Administered oath as an Additional Judge, High Court of Delhi on 17th May, 2023.
Justice Shalinder Kaur
Justice Shalinder Kaur
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Justice Shalinder Kaur has obtained B.A. (Hons.) from Miranda House College, Delhi University in 1985. Thereafter, embarked on the pursuit of legal knowledge by obtaining her LL.B. from Campus Law Center in 1985 followed by an L.L.M. from Kurukshetra University in 1988.
Joined Delhi Judicial Service in the year 1992 and was promoted to Delhi Higher Judicial Service in the year 2003. Has held various Civil and Criminal Courts dealing with trials pertaining to matters of Central Bureau of Investigation, sensitive criminal cases, Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, matrimonial disputes, child custody petitions, motor accident claims etc. Served as a District and Sessions Judge in District Shahdara, Karkardooma, Delhi, District Saket, South-East, Delhi and South District Saket Courts, Delhi. Also, served as the Judge In-charge of Delhi Mediation Centers of various jurisdictions in Delhi.
Justice Kaur is a trained Mediator having received 40 hours of extensive learning on Concept & Techniques of Mediation in year 2005 and is a Master Trainer with Mediation & Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court of India having undergone her Training of Trainers (TOT) from experts from Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), UK.
Also, an Accredited Mediator from the International Mediation Institute, Hague, Netherlands. Further, has conducted Mediations in almost 10,000 cases of all categories. Participated as speaker in various Regional, National and International conferences on Mediation and conducted numerous Training Programmes throughout India on Mediation for judicial officers, advocates, law students etc. Has also been a regular resource person at Delhi Judicial Academy and various Colleges in Delhi.
Appointed as an Additional Judge, Delhi High Court on 20.10.2023.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja
Justice Ravinder Dudeja
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Justice Ravinder Dudeja was born in Delhi on 17th May, 1966. He completed his schooling at Kulachi Hansraj Model School in Delhi, and subsequently acquired B.Sc. and an LLB degree from Delhi University. He was enrolled as an Advocate with Bar Council of Delhi in 1989.
He began his judicial career in 1992 by joining the Delhi Judicial Services and was promoted to the Delhi Higher Judicial Services in 2003.
During his tenure, he served as Metropolitan Magistrate, Civil Judge, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Director/Officiating Chairperson of the Delhi Judicial Academy, and Registrar General of the Delhi High Court. He also presided over the first paperless e-court of the country at the District level.
Elevated as an Additional Judge, High Court of Delhi on 20th October, 2023.