“Justice delayed is justice denied” the inscription above the Mumbai City Civil & Sessions Court’s entrance seemed to whisper. This imposing structure a Grade II A heritage building stands as a silent witness to centuries of legal battles.
The Mumbai City Civil & Sessions Court housed in the Old Secretariat Building is more than just a courthouse. It’s a living monument. It’s a testament to the evolution of Bombay’s judicial system. Its history stretches back to 1728. That’s when the Court of Oyer and Terminer and Jail Delivery was established. This early court handled most offenses except high treason.
Over the years the court evolved. The Recorder’s Court established in 1798 expanded its civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court followed in 1824. It then replaced the Recorder’s Court overseeing the town and island of Bombay. The Diwani Adalat and Sudder Fozdari Adalat handled civil and criminal matters in other parts of the Bombay Presidency.
Then came a significant change. In 1862 the British Parliament’s Indian High Courts Act abolished the existing courts. The High Court at Bombay was established. The Old Secretariat Building itself designed by Col Henry St Clair Wilkins and Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere between 1865 and 1874. It embodies the Venetian Gothic style. This architectural masterpiece housed the High Court for many years.
The building hosted famous trials. One notable example is the trials of Lokmanya Tilak. The High Court conducted five sessions annually. The last criminal session ended in July 1948. The Bombay City Civil Court Act of 1948 brought forth the Court of Session for Greater Bombay. The Sessions Court started operating on August 16 1948. It initially enjoyed similar powers to the High Court regarding jury verdicts.
However in 1952 this changed. The Sessions Court of Greater Bombay became similar to mofussil courts. A key difference emerged. Following Act 6 of 1952 the judge could accept a majority ‘not guilty’ jury verdict. Previously a divided verdict mandated a retrial. This change made a significant impact on the court’s proceedings.
The Court of Sessions although lacking the grandeur of the High Court Sessions Hall followed similar procedures. Jury trials continued until 1956. The Criminal Procedure Amendment Act then allowed the High Court to discontinue jury trials if cases were excessively long.
The Mumbai City Civil & Sessions Court saw landmark cases. The Lloyds Bank dacoity case the Kasab case the Telgi case and the Nanavati case stand out. The Nanavati case a sensational trial involved sex murder intrigue and revenge. Public interest was immense. The jury’s ‘not guilty’ verdict sparked huge approval. The judge however declared it perverse leading to a retrial by the High Court. This event effectively marked the end of jury trials in the Sessions Court.
Today the court’s work goes far beyond criminal trials. Since 1974 it handles appeals from Metropolitan Magistrates. The court has expanded its reach. In 1967 the courts moved to the Old Secretariat. A new annexe was added in 1972. More space was added in 1985. A fast-track court opened in Sewree in 2003. And a Dindoshi branch started in 2007 to manage cases from Mumbai’s suburbs. The Mumbai City Civil & Sessions Court continues its vital role in the city’s justice system. Its historical significance and its ongoing work are inextricably linked to the very heart of Mumbai.