Tales of Law and Laughter, Raju Z. Moray’s new book, is a must-read as it gives the reader a ringside peak into the workings of the Bombay adalats and their antics, writes Sanjoy Ghose.
—
“He who laughs, lasts,” Mary Pettibone Pole.
During the Covid pandemic, writing was a coping mechanism for me. So much so that my coping made its way to the memoirs of a retired Chief Justice of India.
Well, that story is for another day and this is not about me as much as it is about my great attachment to humour and satire. So coming back to the pandemic and my writings, I actually tried to reason why I was so drawn to writing pieces despite actually having a full-time vocation that put bread on my table.
That introspection led me to my days in the From the Lawyers Collective, a magazine that my senior Indira Jaising supported and nourished. It was made clear to me that every month I would have to generate some articles for the magazine.
The use of humour and pseudonyms such as “Justice Bigtalk” permit Raju to speak truth to power without being offensive and all the while being entertaining.
Often that involved converting into article form pleadings of an interesting case, and there were quite a few in her chamber, from public interest litigation (PILs) on genetic engineering to smoking!
It was in those days that I looked forward to the humour page at the inside back end of an issue, titled “Court Jester”. Our Lady Whistledown— as those who have been following the series Bridgerton would get— was none other than Raju Moray.
Also read: Life of a communist woman: Review of Brinda Karat’s autobiography
Raju would entertain us with his trademark Bombay humour which would take the form of rhyme or prose depending on his mood. Raju would spare none and yet there was no trace of malice in his pen.
The “Adalat Antics” on the back cover was an anonymous collective effort of gossipy snippets contributed by various ‘gossipers’, including Moray.
Sadly, we moved on and the magazine folded. Courts also increasingly lost the humour and the languid pace of yesteryears or perhaps it is a sign of our aging.
It was, therefore, a joyous revelation to me when Jaising announced that the magazine, in true Sanatan tradition, had experienced a rebirth; this time as The Leaflet. Raju was back with a vengeance, his rocking humour often making his verse go viral. The only difference was that the ‘Court Jester’ now helmed the “Adalat Antics”.
It was only recently that I found out that I was not the only important fan that Raju had. At a function in New Delhi, Justice Oka of the Supreme Court publicly declared that it was Raju who had introduced him to the world of humour.
Raju Moray had now packed all his art into yet another book, Tales of Law and Laughter, which I found delightfully unputdownable. The 184-page book is peppered with amusing illustrations which is an added bonus.
In the book, Raju demonstrates his skill and the power of humour. To give you just a flavour, he narrates the tale of an obnoxious judge who uses a PIL to get the authorities to shift a bus stand only so that his offspring would find it easier to get to college.
The use of humour and pseudonyms such as “Justice Bigtalk” permit Raju to speak truth to power without being offensive and all the while being entertaining.
As an outsider, I can only imagine the double delight of the Bombay practitioner who would be decoding who “Justice Irascible” or “Justice Quickfire” was in reality.
The book is a must-read as it gives the reader a ringside peak into the workings of the Bombay adalats and their antics. In the choice of pseudonyms too, take for instance Advocate Jugaadu, Raju does not disappoint. Only Raju can get away with describing the fictional judges of a division Bench of the Bombay High Court as “two of the most volatile and temperamental milords”!
Also read: Interview with the oldest law clerk in India
As an outsider, I can only imagine the double delight of the Bombay practitioner who would be decoding who “Justice Irascible” or “Justice Quickfire” was in reality. A real whodunit.
Raju’s snippets give the reader a sneak peek into the actual workings and politics of the Bar and the Bench. This is a most invaluable insight laced with humour and wrapped in satire.
In his irreverent style, Raju sketches a prized biography by sharing tales from his early days such as when his senior deputed him to Justice M.L. Pendse’s court just to watch the board.
Raju’s snippets give the reader a sneak peek into the actual workings and politics of the Bar and the Bench.
As lawyers from a pre-digital, pre-millennial age, we can certainly relate to those days when the absence of live streaming and court websites and apps intimating the case status left us with no option but to actually haul our asses to the court and watch the board or court proceedings.
Raju deserves all compliments for the collection he has put together. It is a must-read for law students, lawyers and the lay reader alike.
