Lawyer Diaries - "I am proud of myself"

I started my independent chamber at 135 Hospital Road near Menaka talkies Bangalore 560053 from May 1972 after leaving my seniors offices, Prof C B Motaiya and  M Papanna, Central Government Advocate.. I enrolled on 10.7.1970, that is within two years of my enrolment I started practicing advocacy independently. Within two months I had to take the assistance of a junior and thereafter the strength of my juniors was more than a dozen. It was by grace of god and goodwill of my clients. I made a successful career in the criminal side especially in conducting murder and other cases. In those days right from 1973 to 1985 the newspapers used to report one or the other cases I had conducted and I remain grateful to the news media of those days for making me a popular defense council.

I was teaching in BMS College of Law where I studied and got my Law degree with distinction as a rank holder in the Bangalore University. In addition I was writing books on law subjects. I had to train my juniors to enable them to learn the professional work efficiently so that when they go out of my office they should be capable of handling their cases independently; as I was trained by my senior Gurus. Later a time came that I had to send many of my juniors to start their own offices. I thought that when they go out they will become unemployed and workless all of a sudden and they may not have the earnings  as much they were getting in my office. So I entrusted many of the cases they were usually handling and were also familiar with the clients in gaining the client's confidence and that made a pushing to all such juniors to start with full of self confidence. They became independent many of them have dozens of juniors today and made good name in the profession. I am proud of my junior colleagues.

I served my college as part time faculty member for more than 25 years, starting from lecturer, Asst.Professor-cum-Vice Principal and finally as Professor and Principal. Once (1988) my principal Prof E S Venkataramaiah, who later retired as Chief Justice of India, in an angry mood told that

"You become the Principal and sit in my seat then you will understand how much difficult it is to function  as such"

Prof M N Venkatachalaiah, as he then was and who also later retired as Chief Justice of India, pacified both by his witty saying.  MNV CJI is a living legend of the Indian Judiciary, who always pats me saying

"How are you my boy"

How can I forget his affectionate paternal hugging. I am proud of myself.,.

As the student union Secretary I had to argue with the principal to provide certain facilities, at that juncture he was little bit embarrassed by my behaviour. He further told

"You don't know what you are Don't try to be a paper tiger. Take the life seriously"

I followed his advice like a sincere student. In fact he was very happy when I submitted my first law book to him in 1980s as he was the Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Many of my students are practicing in several parts of India and few abroad as Attorneys. Many of them are serving as Presiding Officers in the Judiciary. Few of them are serving as Judges of the High Courts. I am very much proud of my students as well as my juniors and friends.

Recently in Mach 2020 prior to COVID-19 attacking the globe, my 75th law book "Filing suits and appeals' was released. I have shifted my office at 280/1 Akkamahadevi Road, Gavipuram west, Hanumantha Negara Bangalore 560019 since 2015. I am continuing my professional work. I have retained and take a limited number of cases as much as I can because of many restraints due to advanced age. Age means! Do you want to know my age  I am just 18 years young? Don't be shocked. Just reverse the figures.