Meenakshi Arora and Payal Chawla.
Ashok Bhai was a highly accomplished lawyer – having served both as Solicitor General and Attorney General – but he never let his achievements define him. He was undoubtedly brilliant. But it was his pleasant disposition, warmth and wit, that has left an indelible imprint in our hearts.
Some years ago, we were both briefing him in a difficult matter. There had been an accident and three Chinese employees had been arrested. After the arduous task of getting bail, the two junior engineers wanted to travel back to China, at the same time and for the same reason – to get married. When we presented the facts to Ashok Bhai, he rolled his eyes. As the law was presented and the conference drew to a close, so did our hopes of getting a successful order. As we proceeded to collect our papers, one of us remarked – ‘Sir, they’re such sweet-looking boys. We feel so bad’. Ashok Bhai lifted his head from his papers and asked – ‘really? – bring them in’. Soon a beauty parade ensued. Ashok Bhai smiled – the boys had passed with flying colours.
From the gleeful look on Ashok Bhai’s face, we knew he had a plan. Turning to us he said – ‘Payal, during the hearing I will call you and whisper nothing into your ear. You will go into the back and say that ‘nothing’ into the clients’ ears. Hopefully the Judges eyes will follow you and they will see these sweet hapless boys’. Startled, we asked Ashok Bhai – ‘Sir is that our legal strategy?’. He just laughed. Whether our strategy worked or not, we will never know – the favourable order was silent on the ‘appearance’ of our clients.
Ashok Bhai was a litigator par excellence. He was a delight to watch in court. His soft-spoken demeanour was his greatest weapon – both in and out of court – winning him lifelong friends and admirers.
He was proud of the successes of juniors. While presenting the first gown he said – ‘Meenakshi, I am so proud of you. My only disappointment is not seeing you as a judge’. His gesture was spontaneous and had a lasting impact. In one’s highs there was his encouragement and in one’s lows his unwavering support and counsel.
In the late ‘90s, Ashok Bhai was leading us in a high-stake matter. During the hearing we were quite befuddled by the questions that fell from the bench. After the pronouncement of the Order, as we walked to the car, we were silent but visibly upset. Ashok Bhai turned to us with a poker straight face and in his trademark inimitable style softly said, ‘don’t be upset – it’s not the judge’s fault’. And then after a pause he said, ‘he’s quite independent of the law’. It took us three seconds, before we broke into a hearty laughter.
Through all his achievements and his great qualities, his most endearing memory will be his love for Swarna Ben. Anyone, who knew them, knew of their inseparable bond and affection. Through her, Ashok Bhai continues to live on.
