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Iqbal Chagla Passes Away At 86: The Legal Luminary And Champion Of Human Rights

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Senior advocate Iqbal Chagla, 86, passed away on Sunday afternoon after a period of ill health. The son of Mahommedali Currim Chagla, the first Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court of independent India, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the legal fraternity.

Chagla, father of sitting Bombay High Court judge, Justice Riyaz Chagla, served as the president of the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) three times.

Born in 1939, he earned an MA in History and Law from Cambridge University before beginning his practice at the Bombay High Court. He trained under the renowned Kharshedji Hormasji Bhabha and was designated a Senior Advocate in 1979. Between 1990 and 1999, he served as the BBA president and held other prominent roles, including as a Member of the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of India and the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA).

Despite being offered a judgeship thrice — twice by the Bombay High Court and once by the Supreme Court — Chagla declined, potentially forfeiting an opportunity to become the Chief Justice of India.

During his tenure as BBA president, Chagla played a pivotal role in calling for the resignation of four Bombay HC judges over allegations of impropriety. The BBA passed a resolution under his leadership, resulting in some judges resigning and others being transferred.

Chagla was highly regarded for his expertise in civil litigation, company law, and international arbitration. Known for his integrity and gentle demeanor, he was a sought-after counsel who often argued complex and high-profile cases.

BBA president Nitin Thakker described Chagla as a stalwart of the legal fraternity and a champion of human rights. “He has been an inspiration for so many young lawyers due to his court demeanor, his fairness and his integrity. He has been a champion of defending human rights and a fierce fighter for upholding rule of law. Above all he was a gentleman and a great human being. Bombay Bar Association has lost a stalwart and his loss is immense.”

Former BBA president Rajiv Chavan lauded Chagla’s legal brilliance and sportsmanship. “He was an outstanding lawyer, humane, and a cricket enthusiast. His loss will be deeply felt in the legal community and beyond. Despite his perfectionism, he was always kind and approachable.” Reminiscing how, Chagla had been kind to him, Chavan said the late senior advocate guided and inspired everyone to achieve greater things. 

The BBA issued a statement mourning Chagla’s demise: “Mr. I.M. Chagla’s contributions to the legal field are immeasurable. His dedication, integrity, and excellence have inspired generations of legal professionals. We extend our condolences to his family in this difficult time.”

Chagla’s funeral will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Worli Crematorium in Mumbai.

Notable Cases 

Chagla represented Nestlé India during the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) ban on Maggi noodles, successfully arguing for the export of the product despite the ban in the Indian market.

He also handled the high-profile legal dispute between corporate lawyers Cyril and Shardul Shroff over their mother’s will, leading to the amicable division of their firm, Amarchand Mangaldas, into two entities.

In 2004, he represented Dr. Anahita Pandole in a pioneering Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against illegal hoardings in Mumbai.

After the 26/11 terror attacks, Chagla, representing the Society of Indian Law Firms, filed a PIL seeking the establishment of a Citizens Coordination Committee to monitor and advise on safety measures in Mumbai.

A towering figure in Indian law, Iqbal Chagla will be remembered for his legal acumen, unwavering integrity, and his dedication to upholding the rule of law.

Maharashtra

Shiv Sena wave in North Maharashtra, Dr. Shrikant Shinde takes charge of election campaign

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Mumbai Nandurbar: Shiv Sena is on a wave in North Maharashtra. A large number of “Ladli Bheenas” and youth are participating in the rallies of Shiv Sena youth leader Dr. Shrikant Shinde. Dr. Shinde launched his election campaign in North Maharashtra today. Addressing the gathering, he said that the Mahayoti government has taken strong steps to empower women and youth, which is why Maharashtra’s Ladli Behna Yojana is becoming self-reliant. Attacking the opposition, he said that many opposition leaders were opposing the “Ladli Behna Yojana” but under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, this scheme was implemented and it will not be stopped under any circumstances. The opposition is only spreading confusion, Ladli Behna will respond with their votes. Dr. Shrikant Shinde explained that in the last three years, Shiv Sena has reached every corner of Maharashtra under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. Shinde Sahib is empowering his workers by holding eight meetings every day. He has an Urban Development Department, which has resulted in record-breaking funding for the backward villages of Maharashtra, paving the way for strong rural development.

Dr. Shrikant Shinde criticized UBT and said that some people are experts in criticizing, but they have never done any concrete work for the people. That is why today Mahayoti candidates are seen everywhere. The people are well aware of the state of the opposition.

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Maharashtra

Kalyan College Namaz Controversy: SIO Demands Action Against Perpetrators

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Mumbai: SIO has demanded strict action against the hooliganism of Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad on offering prayers in Mumbai’s Kalyan College. Here, State Secretary SIO Aziz Ahmed said that
The incident that took place at Ideal College of Pharmacy and Research in Kalyan is highly condemnable and unacceptable, where hooligans belonging to Bajrang Dal entered the college campus, threatened and harassed Muslim students for offering prayers and even tried to make them sit in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This incident is a direct attack on religious freedom and the sanctity of the educational campus.

SIO strongly condemns this incident and expresses complete solidarity with the affected students. We demand that strict action be taken against the accused at the earliest, the college administration ensure the safety of the students and take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

We appeal to the entire student community to maintain religious harmony and remain united against such sectarian attitudes and demonstrate strong solidarity.

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Maharashtra

Five-year-old kidnapped girl rescued from Vakola, five arrested, girl held hostage by uncle in Panol

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Mumbai: Police has claimed to have arrested five accused, including uncle Momani, on charges of kidnapping a five-year-old girl. The gang had planned to kidnap and sell the girl. A case of kidnapping of a minor girl was registered on November 22 under the limits of Vakola police station. Several teams were formed in Zones 8 and 7. During the investigation, it was revealed that a suspicious rickshaw had gone to Panvel and returned. A man, a woman, a rickshaw driver and the girl were in the rickshaw between 2 and 3 am. The kidnappers were identified as the girl’s uncle Lawrence Niconelis Fernandes, 42, and his wife Momani, who is a Mangal degree, both of them had gone to Panvel by rickshaw and were going to sell the kidnapped girl. The kidnapped girl was recovered from the possession of their acquaintance Sans. The Sans gave details about the wanted accused during the investigation, after which Windra Dinesh Chavan, 60, and Anjali Ajit Korgaokar, 57, were arrested from New Panvel, Raigad. The kidnapped girl was sold for Rs 1,80,000 and Vrinda Chavan was taken into custody from her house and the girl was safely brought to Vakola. This operation was carried out by DCP Manish Kalwaniya on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and the girl was recovered safely. In this case, the police have arrested rickshaw driver Latif Abdul Majeed Sheikh, 52, a resident of Santa Cruz, Lawrence Nicholas Fernandes, 42, a laborer from Raigarh, Mangal Dagra Jadhav, 38, from Raigarh, Kiran Maruti Sons, 38, from Panvel, Vrinda Vanish Chavan, 60, from Raigarh and the investigation is underway.

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