Beyond the Judgements: RPNLU Talk Series debuts with Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali

Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU) has launched a new interactive series titled 'Beyond the Judgements' aimed at providing students a deeper understanding of the law, lives, experiences, and values of judicial luminaries.

The initiative has been launched by Vice Chancellor of RPNLU, Senior Prof (Dr) Usha Tandon, with the aim to broaden the student's horizons with the help of the on-ground experience of the Bench.

In the inaugural episode, students Stuti Mishra, Sujal Sonker and Khushi Shandilya interacted with the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Arun Bhansali.

The conversation outlined his professional journey, personal values, and views on pressing issues in the legal system. Justice Bhansali, a third-generation lawyer, reflected on his induction into the legal profession in 1989. He stated that it was not a chance decision but a conscious decision.

He reminisced about a time when the legal practice was driven by physical libraries rather than technology. He also raised a significant concern about the lack of stipends for junior lawyers, which still persists today.

However, he emphasized the long-term value of learning under senior advocates, which ultimately pays off with time and dedication.

Sharing his experience of working in both the Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts, he elucidated on the difference between serving as a judge and taking up the administrative responsibilities of a Chief Justice.

“As a judge, your only responsibility is to deliver justice, but as a Chief Justice, you must also manage the administrative machinery of the entire High Court and district judiciary,” he noted.

Interestingly, he also pointed out that the Rajasthan and Allahabad High Courts share a historical connection, as the first three Chief Justices of Rajasthan were from Allahabad, and they established a tradition in the Rajasthan High Court which is not different from Allahabad High Court.

Addressing the ever-relevant tension between legal principles and public opinion, Justice Bhansali asserted that judges must adhere to legal doctrines. He highlighted the importance of neutrality and legal objectivity in judicial decision-making.

In situations where personal beliefs may conflict with the application of law, he opined that the most appropriate course of action for a judge is to recuse from the matter.

When asked to recount a particularly complex or impactful case from his judicial career, Justice Bhansali shared an anecdote involving a differently abled woman whose candidature was initially rejected by the recruitment board.

Even though both the petitioner and respondent expected the petition to get rejected, Justice Bhansali examined the legal provisions and ultimately delivered a judgement in favour of the differently abled woman, reinforcing the judiciary’s role as the protector of marginalized voices.

Justice Bhansali also opened up on his personal life and shared his passion for philately (the collection and study of postage stamps) and gardening. His love for philately began in his childhood when he started collecting stamps issued since 1947 and preserving them.

Over the years, his passion for philately evolved into a lifelong pursuit, fostering patience, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for history and culture. Beyond collecting stamps, he developed a distinctive interest in obtaining autographs from individuals honoured on stamps or their family members.

He recalled securing signatures from prominent figures. Among them were Mother Teresa on a first-day cover, Prince Charles on the stamp of Lord Mountbatten, and an autograph of the Dalai Lama on his stamp cover to name a few. The autographs made his collection unique and rare.

Discussing long-term reforms, he advocated for the faster delivery of justice, increasing the number of judges, and strengthening the legal capabilities of young lawyers.

He also expressed concerns about the misuse of the idea of 'transparency' which sometimes becomes a means to exert undue pressure. Certain matters, he emphasized, must remain within the boundaries of confidentiality.

Justice Bhansali shared his perspective on gender equality in the legal profession.

Referring to one of his notable judgments, he stated, “a son continues to be a son both before and after marriage; a daughter continues to be a daughter irrespective of being married or unmarried," reaffirming that dependency remains a key legal criterion for compensation

On encouraging women in law, he acknowledged the difficulties women face in sustaining their careers. As a potential solution, he suggested building strong professional partnerships early in their careers as a solution, highlighting the role of mentorship and support networks.

Justice Bhansali, who also presently holds the position of RPNLU's Chancellor, concluded with a message encouraging the student to stay committed to their goals.

“There is no substitute for hard work and patience. Many brilliant people lose their way due to impatience. Whether in profession, friendship, or family life—patience helps avoid conflict and leads to success," he said.

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