Surprises, Dreams and Conspiracies

When I was in fourth year of law, I once had a thought that I would never be able to visit the Supreme Court of India. Reasons were very obvious since I had started interning in corporate law firms. As a law student I had a strong desire to visit the place where the top guns exist. It was my like my dream which I thought was never going to be fulfilled once I was recruited by a law firm in Mumbai. But such is unpredictability of life. It is true that when you honestly believe and know what you want, the whole world conspires for you to achieve it. Trust me. In on of the writ petitions pertaining to certain premises in Mumbai, an SLP was filed in the apex court. All this happened when I attempted a visit to Bhopal give a surprise (a happy and pleasant surprise). But I realized that happiness or pleasantness of a surprise is never determined or judged by you. It is always determined by the person you are going to surprise. And your doings, your behavior and the person inside you is reflected in such determination. Good lesson indeed and no complaints or grievances whatsoever.

Anyways hopping back to the topic, I got instructions to go to Delhi on March 29, 2010 for attending the listed mentioning (a technical term which you may ask me) of the SLP. And I got further excited when I was told that we were going to retain Mr. Harish Salve for the matter. I made the travel arrangements and decided to stay with friends at Lajpat Nagar as I did not want our poor client to shell out extra money for my stay in a five star hotel. A lawyer needs to have qualities of empathy and sympathy towards his clients. Taken aback, plundered and absorbed by complex sentiments, I landed in Mumbai at mignight and spent next few hours in finishing up the pending work that I had kept way below in my order of priorities and preferences. (Trust me, by default everyone has got this order of priority in their sub-conscious mind). Then I had to wake up early next day early to pack up for delhi. I was desperately waiting for Shrawan as he was supposed to carry my formal black shoes which I had given to him for keeping as I did not have space in my office bag (which was my suitcase). To add further to my miseries, Shrawan told me that he forgot to bring my shoes. No complaints either. You dig your own grave at times I thought and without wasting even one second cribbing about it, I started looking for my old shoes which I had bought during my third year of law. I found them. They had turned brown due to dirt. I started cleaning them and out of guilty poor Shrawan offered me help which I refused to take as I was sulking. While cleaning them, I realized they were badly torn. I told myself, let it be. May be you deserve it. And I wore them and started off my journey. Reached office, forced myself to be intense and focused, collected necessary papers and sent out all important emails and left for the airport. While I was waiting in the lounge, I saw a familiar looking old lady which I thought was my friends’ Nani. I was told that she was in Hong Kong and that’s why I wantedto confirm. Suddenly without realizing that I was barred and disqualified to call her, I dialed the number but instantly realized the next moment and hence cut the call. And I spent the rest of the time wondering if she was her only.

The two hours of my journey were spent in reading papers and preparation to brief my Salve. However after landing in Delhi, I was told that conference was to happen in court only then next day so I was free in the evening. Yadav and cobra picked me up from the port. Yadav bunked his office and Cobra took the day off. And we were driving in roads of Delhi. Reminded me of my old college days when I used to be in Delhi for internships. I really like Bombay. But I love Delhi as much. My parents and my friends are my assets. Nothing much matters to me more than relationships (of course if doesn’t mean I am not sincere and dedicated towards my profession). We had some goodtime at Pebble Street at NFC and had shawarma as well. Then we went to tillu-amar-sameer’s place in Lajpat where we chatted, did all bakchodi and LOLchodi (a new word made by me) and played Lajpat Football Cup in their PS-2. And then went to sleep. This makes me realize that I haven’t slept properly since quite sometime now. I don’t realize when I fall asleep late at night and end up waking up at random hours like 5 am, 6:30 am, etc. Anyways all this isn’t the highlight of this post.

Next day I woke up and got ready in black and whites for my maiden visit to the SCI. Yadav was my guide to the Supre Court. He was making fun of me as to him I looked like a baby bird who is dazed and confused after coming out of its nest to a new world outside. Supreme Court was really like a new world to me. I wore my band and gown, got a pass made and very proudly entered the premises of the SCI with my torn and air conditioned shoes. When I saw the Tricolour over the dome of the CJI`s courtroom, hair over my arms stood up. (I have a similar feeling whenever I sing or hear our national anthem.). I checked the list and our matter was to be placed before CJI at 2:00 pm. I went for the tour of the SCI and outside cafeteria, I found a huge gathering. I was told that a female junior advocate had bashed up a male advocate who was following/teasing/harassing her by calls and msgs since one year. And this was a second such incident in a month. I wondered whether I was really in the Supreme Court or all this happened only because it was the Supreme Court???? But anyways it happened. Then I had vada-sambhar in the canteen. Just imagine, how bad I can be with taste at times. Then I met a few alumni in the SCI premises. It good to see all of them. Then I was called in the consultation room to brief my Harish Salve. And to my surprise I saw the Appellant (we were for one of the respondents) standing outside Mr. Salve’s chamber. It was funny that both the sides were about the brief the same counsel. I whispered and told our advocate on record that it was the appellant. Later it was confirmed that Mr. Salve was going to take our brief only as we had approached him days before the other side. And Mr. Appellant panicked. I saw him running here and there, yelling at his lawyers and talking continuously on phone. In the meantime, Mr. Salve had his lunch and called us in his chamber. I and our delhi advocates, three of us entered the room and there was he. The face and voice as I had imagined. And I sat right opposite facing him. Our delhi advocates started to brief and I took over. Sometimes I wonder how simple everything is for these senior advocates. He patiently listed to us and then told us what he was going to do. We did not question his knowledge, experience and credibility. And in about 10-15 minutes, the conference was over. And I rushed towards the CJIs courtroom. And after making so much efforts in the mad crowd of lawyers, I was able to be in such a position that I could listen to what he and judges were saying. He got a favourable order for us. He is expensive. But then he is the best counsel as well. It was very well put up by Sarvesh sir that for such fees, you are not only getting the best counsel, then other side is not getting the best counsel. Next date is April 19, 2010. I hope I get to go again. We have developed this case very well and it will be good to see the good outcome. At 3 pm (in the skin burning heat) I went back to Lajpat Nagar where Cobra was waiting for me. I had to meet our advocates in def col. So we went and after the meeting, me and cobra went for a drink. Cobra had a tandoori duck while I had a mushroom dish. And we were discussing life……Soon it was time and I prepared to leave for airport. Yadav, sandy and cobra dropped me back. The flight took extra long hours due to severe congestion in Mumbai airport. And I reached back home in the mig-night. That’s how yet another dream of mine got fulfilled.. One must see many dreams. And should keep on fulfilling them one after the other. Life is uncertain. It keeps on pulling out new rabbits out of its hat everytime. But if you honestly believe and know what you want, the whole world will really conspire for you.