Senior advocate Iqbal M. Chagla, a towering figure in India’s legal fraternity, passed away on Sunday in Mumbai at the age of 85. Known for his brilliance in law and steadfast commitment to judicial integrity, Chagla served as the President of the Bombay Bar Association (BBA) during the 1990s, earning admiration for his courage in exposing corruption within the judiciary.
Born in 1939, Chagla was the son of M.C. Chagla, the first permanent Indian Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Educated at Cambridge University, he returned to India to establish a distinguished career at the Bombay High Court. Designated a senior advocate at 39, Chagla turned down offers to serve as a High Court or Supreme Court judge, even though he was widely regarded as a potential Chief Justice of India.
During his tenure as President of the BBA, Chagla spearheaded bold resolutions against judicial corruption, leading to resignations and transfers of sitting judges. He also supported the Srikrishna Commission during the 1992-93 Bombay riots, championing the values of secularism and constitutional integrity.
Tributes poured in from the legal community. Senior advocate Rafique Dada hailed Chagla as “a role model,” while Yusuf Mucchala remembered him as a lawyer of exceptional brilliance and courage. Current Bar Association President Nitin Thakker highlighted Chagla’s active practice until recently, describing his death as an irreplaceable loss.
The BBA lauded his contributions, stating, “Iqbal Chagla’s legacy will forever inspire the legal fraternity.”
