Justice Shah to speak in Melbourne on ‘Judicial Activism for Social Justice: Promises & Perils’

By Neeraj Nanda

Melbourne: Justice A. P. Shah, famous Indian judge who was author of landmark judgements delivered in Bombay, Madras and Delhi over the last two decades, will share his insights at a lecture on September 10 at the Melbourne Law School into the working of the Indian judiciary. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the Indian Supreme Court in attempting to enforce the constitutional promise of social justice. The lecture is organised by the Australia India Institute and the Melbourne Law School.
During his tenure, Justice Shah delivered several landmark judgments on diverse issues ranging from the decriminalization of homosexuality, to freedom of speech and expression, the environment, protection of disabled person and women’s rights. He retired as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi in February, 2010. He was previously Judge of Bombay High Court, prior to being elevated to Chief Justice, Madras High Court from 2005 to 2008.
Ajit Prakash Shah (born 13 February 1948 at Solapur) was the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court from May 2008 till his retirement in February 2010. He He is known for bold rulings, including the world-headliner July 2009 ruling that found India’s 150-year-old statute prohibiting homosexual acts as discriminatory and therefore a “violation of fundamental rights.” “It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster dignity of every individual”, the bench headed by Justice AP Shah said in the judgment.
He belongs to a family of lawyers; his grandfather, father and uncle were in the legal profession. His father became a Judge of Bombay High Court and upon retirement served as a Lokayukta.Justice Shah will have unique place in the history of Indian judiciary. In fact he can be put in the league of Justice Aiyer, Bhagwati, etc.
Justice Shah did his graduation from Solapur and went on to the Government Law College, Mumbai for his law degree. After a short span of practice at the District Court in Solapur, he shifted to the Bombay High Court in 1977 and joined the chambers of the then-leading Advocate Mr. S.C. Pratap. He gained experience in civil, constitutional, service and labour matters. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of Bombay High Court on 18 December 1992 and became the permanent Judge of Bombay High Court on 8 April 1994. He assumed charge as the Chief Justice of Madras High Court on 12 November 2005 and was transferred as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on 7 May 2008.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Monday 10 September 2012;Time: 6:30pm—7:30pm;Venue: Melbourne Law School, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton

REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR THIS FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Register online at: www.law.unimelb.edu.au
Enquiries: law-events@unimelb.edu.au
or Joanna Trethowan ( 03 9035 8737)
Parking information: www.pcs.unimelb.edu.au/services/parking/car_parks

16336526731883929
Neeraj Nanda

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