Retrieved via the Wayback Machine. Originally posted by Dilip D’souza

I’ve been in the Bombay High Court plenty of times. Today as those times, it is a depressing place. The shabby way it is kept - wires and paan stains everywhere, random unpleasant aromas, the crass ugliness of whatever’s been added to the handsome buildings since it was first built. Did I say depressing?

Yes, try the white elevator shaft that has been grafted onto the southern wing of the building.

But I want to leave you, as I left the walk, with just a couple of things about the High Court. As you ascend the central stairs, you pass an intricately carved plaque telling you about how it was built. Note there that the “estimate as sanctioned” for building it was Rs 1,647,196. Note that the “actual cost” for building it was Rs 1,644,528.

I have come across only one other public building that has two totals like this publicly displayed, and that was in a tiny village in Purulia District, West Bengal. I would love to know if there are modern buildings that have such declarations.

Also on the plaque is the name of the “assistant engineer in charge”. Before I tell you his name, let me say that if there’s one thing I love the British for, it’s for the way they spelled our names. Yes, how can you not smile at “Rao Bahadur Muckoond Ramchundra”?

Up on the second floor is Court #46, a magnificent room where on one wall you will find boards listing the “Chief Justices of the Bombay High Court”, and on the opposite wall you will find boards listing the “Puisne Judges of the Bombay High Court.” In vain will you search in this magnificent room for an explanation for what “puisne” means, or even how it should be pronounced.

(My guess: “Pune”. Meaning, I’m guessing these are the judges at the Bombay High Court from the fair city of Pune. In vain did I search for boards listing the “Gadchiroli Judges of the Bombay High Court”).

And finally, this room is filled with history. Bal Gangadhar (”Lokmanya”) Tilak was tried here, and when he was sentenced he said a few words that are inscribed on another plaque outside, and these are those words.

Coming up now, I won’t make you wait.

In spite of the verdict of the jury, I maintain my innocence. There are higher powers that rule the destiny of men and nations. It may be the will of Providence that the cause I represent may prosper by suffering than by remaining free.

If we could only find it in ourselves to better preserve this spot where that giant among men once said that.