MY FIRST DAY AT THE COURT!!!

When my lawyer told that I am required at the court the next day for a
witness I became very nervous!!!

“Oh My God!” I thought to myself “This is one thing I have always

dreaded…“ I immediately got reminded of the advice my father gave
“Stay away from the Police station & Court in life son, if you wish to be at
peace!!!”

Today the inevitable has happened. I had lost my brother in a road

accident some 15 yrs ago & we had registered a case in the MSET court
for an insurance claim… My brother was travelling in a cab when it was
hit by a speeding car which jumped the divider & rammed into the taxi
head on. The reckless driver was dead drunk.

In anguish we wanted to file a suit against the driver but were advised by
our lawyer not to do so as the insurance company would then wash their
hands off & we would have to fight a case of criminal offence. Miffed
though by the argument, we couldn’t disagree.

Since, there was no option but to attend the court I took leave from my
office for that day. My boss was sympathetic & agreed.

I reached the court gate dot with the stroke of 10 in the morning for this
serious errand.

The building which was quite an antediluvian structure was no new

sight for me as I had passed this road a plethora of times. But what went
on inside was something I had never imagined!!!

As I drove inside the court campus I felt as though I have entered an ant
burrow… People all around, most of them in black coat, with 2 white
tentacles dangling down their neck, with a huge red bundle tucked into
their arms, were moving hither-thither in great haste… “Hmmm into
serious business” I thought to myself as I struggled to park my car in a
overly crowded parking bay managed by a lad who was surely underage
for that job... “Child labor under the nose of judiciary” I gasped!!!

“Daaba ke lagaiyo saab” he ordered me in authority… I obeyed!!!

As I walked from my car towards the court building arch, I noticed the
building bore that archetype government environment!!!… The robust
building had no signs of any recent maintenance, Bapu’s statue in front
of the building was littered with bird grit, the front garden space was
cemented to make parking space & those huge neem trees reminded me
it was autumn… Many typists with dilapidated typewriters sat under
these trees, struggling on the keys to get a legible print on those light
green slightly longish papers. “Work already started!!! Guess I am not
late???”

A little closer to the building & I felt as though I was nearing a namkeen
shop… The aroma of freshly stuffed samosas being fried & masala chai
was so distinctive that my mouth started watering!!! A typical ‘thadi’ the
trademark of an old Indian hangout joint, was doing crisp business early
morning… I felt as though all came empty stomach here!!!

Tearing my-self away from this tempting place, I hastened towards

chamber no. 72 which my lawyer said was his office. I kept enquiring as
I walked briskly, not to go astray in this maze. I tried to keep trace of the
route I was taking using those typical modern art red tattoos that
tobacco chewing people had created in all corners of the building!!! Soon
I entered into a courtyard with an unkempt garden. All around the
garden, under the corridor were seated hundreds of lawyers of all
shapes & sizes on coarsely crafted tables & chairs. To my surprise these
cheap pieces of furniture were chained & fastened with locks. I was
amused to know it was for safety!!! “Even this place is not devoid of
thieves!!!”

On one of such tables was seated my lawyer!!! On the course white

washed wall behind was painted his name in black along with his
detailed qualification. Even the name from the place he belonged was
written… “Sambhar wale” … To create a distinction among namesakes I
wondered??? I was right… “Everyone is vanity conscious in their jobs”

My lawyer seemed to have gauged my discomfort of sitting on a stool.

“Let’s sit in the Bar!!!” he invited. “Bar!!!???” a sudden surge of
excitement ran through my spine… Though still early in the morning I
was game for a swig. The twinkle from my eyes vanished as we entered a
library… Now I only wish if “Bars” all across could become akin to this
one!!!

My good man Samaritan set off at once to get the papers readied for the
hearing!!! He took money from me & walked out. My eyes trailed him as
he dissolved into many a black coats walking up & down the corridor!!!
“My Lawyer looks efficient” I said to myself when I saw that thick bundle
of files lying on his table neatly wrapped in that blood red cloth. Few fat
books also adored his table making him appear sagacious… I looked
around & was also pleased to see he was amongst the youngest & better
clad. Few of the lawyers looked old & haggard!!! “Is there no retirement
age for lawyers” I thought I will ask.

After a while my lawyer came charging with some papers in his hand,
grabbed the file & rushed me into one room close by. He cautioned me,
much in a whisper, to switch off my mobile & not to speak out of turn in
front of the judge. I nodded in edginess…

I was surprised to see the court room looked nothing like what I had
seen in the movies. It was much smaller & not as proper too. Shabby
racks with loosely packed untidy paper files were strewn all around
near the room walls. There was a dais in the centre of which was a table
with the “honorable” Judge seated behind. The photo of Mahatma Gandhi
dangled loosely on the wall behind… Cock eyed in its alignment… An old
man with spectacles sat at the edge was calling out aloud the cases due
for hearing. All the lawyers crowded around him with hands stretched
out towards him holding their “documents”. The man as if on cue kept
taking the documents & kept shouting some date. The Judge sat
oblivious of the commotion in deep meditation…
I sat on the bench sheepishly observing the proceedings. Very soon my
lawyer emerged from the jumble scribbling something on his palm. “Our
next date is 15th December!!! You will have to come again. The
opponent’s lawyer has asked for extension…”

I slowly got up gaping at the statue of the ‘lady of justice’, bewildered by

what I experienced today… I had neither the strength nor the inclination
to contest what he had just said!!! I walked out listlessly towards my car,
head hung, revising my father’s advise yet convinced “ justice does
prevails in India… Better late than never…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR – PROF. JITENDRA NIGAM

An MBA from the reputed, R. A Poddar Institute of Management Jaipur. Brings with him a unique
combination of rich Corporate & entrepreneurial experience of over 25 yrs. Has worked for a British
MNC ‘AVERY’ for over 18 yrs & took VRS as Vice President. Now a successful entrepreneur involved in
textile business, hospitality industry & Management consultancy. An excellent Teacher & Corporate
Trainer with in-depth knowledge & experience, having conducted infinite Seminars, Training courses,
Workshops, Sales Schools, Career lectures etc. . On advisory board of various Hotels & Industries –
(Shahpura hotel, Pachar group of hotels, Modern Petrofils & more)

Mr. Nigam teaches in various B School across Jaipur