PART – A

Q1. Which instructions were issued to District Judges by Mr. Chagla, before his visit to their courts?

Ans. Chagla instructed the District Judges that no lavish entertainment should be arranged involving heavy expenditure, and that any address from the Bar should not be presented in an expensive silver or other costly casket.

Q2. Write the difference between Politics, and Culture and Art.

Ans. Chagla views Politics as the sphere concerned with power, administration, and governance of the State, where decisions are often practical and influenced by public policy and authority. On the other hand, Culture and Art represent the higher and finer aspects of human life, reflecting creativity, values, traditions, and intellectual growth of society.

Q3. Name the successor of Mr. Chagla, as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.

Ans. H.K. Chainani was the successor of Mr. Chagla, as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.

Q4. Why was Mr. Chagla appointed as ad hoc judge at International Court?

Ans. M.C. Chagla was appointed as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice because India did not have a permanent judge on the bench, and therefore he was nominated to represent India in a case in which India had an important interest.

Q5. Name the judges who were superseded to make 'Ray' Chief Justice of India.

Ans. Justice A. N. Ray was appointed Chief Justice of India, superseding Shelat, Hegde, and Grover.

Q6. Who was the architect of the Janta Party's victory?

Ans. Jayaprakash (JP) was the architect of the Janata party victory.

Q7. What is the key to success according to Chagla?

Ans. According to M. C. Chagla, the key to success is the ability to distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant, along with maintaining fairness and a sense of justice, since a lawyer’s true role is to assist in the administration of justice, not merely to fight a client’s case.

Q8. What kind of racial discrimination prevailed at Byculla Club?

Ans. Byculla Club was one the prestigious clubs of that era. It was meant exclusively for the Europeans. As an elite, restrictive space, it embodied the "whites only" policy common in social clubs of that era. Indians were not allowed to enter through the front gate, instead, they had to take back door entry. Such was the racial discrimination that prevailed at Byculla Club.

Q9. Where is International Court housed?

Ans. The International Court is housed in the Peace Palace Hague, which was built as a result of a Peace Conference convened by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia in 1899.

Q10. Name the first Attorney General of India after independence.

Ans. Motilal Chimanlal Setalvad was the first Attorney General of India.

PART – B


Q11. Explain the following terms

Jus soli – A legal principle that citizenship is determined by the place of birth.
Sentence: Under jus soli, a child born in the country automatically becomes its citizen.

Milieu – The social and physical environment in which a person lives or develops.
Sentence: He grew up in an academic milieu that encouraged learning and discipline.

Bonjour – A French greeting meaning “good morning” or “hello.”
Sentence: The tourist politely said bonjour to the shopkeeper.

Petite – A French word meaning small or short in size.
Sentence: She wore a petite dress that suited her perfectly.

Q12. Explain the following idioms:

To grease the palm – To bribe someone in order to get work done.
Sentence: He tried to grease the palm of the official to get his license approved quickly.

In black and white – In written or printed form; clearly documented.
Sentence: The agreement was given to us in black and white.

Jack of all trades – A person who has many skills, but not necessarily an expert in any.
Sentence: He is a jack of all trades, able to fix cars, cook, and repair electronics.

Feather your own nest – To use one’s position or power to gain personal advantage or wealth.
Sentence: The manager was accused of feathering his own nest using company funds.

Q13. Write one word for the following sentences:

Capable of using both the hands equally well – Ambidextrous
Person with the legal right to receive property etc. when the owner dies – Heir
The crime of literary theft – Plagiarism
Living forever – Immortal


Q14. Write two words using the following affixes:

Prefixes:
Co – cooperate, coexist

Extra – extraordinary, extracurricular

Non – non-veg, non-stop

Self – selfless, self-confidence

Suffixes:
ful – helpful, beautiful

ness – kindness, brightness

ment – development, achievement

less – helpless, careless

PART – C


Q15. Sketch the character of M.C. Chagla.

Ans. In Roses in December, M.C. Chagla emerges as a highly intellectual, principled, patriotic, and humane personality. His autobiography not only narrates the events of his life but also reveals the qualities of his character, values, and outlook towards society, law, politics, and the nation. Through his experiences and reflections, Chagla presents himself as a man deeply committed to justice, secularism, nationalism, and professional ethics.

One of the most striking qualities of M.C. Chagla was his nationalism and love for India. He strongly believed in the unity of the country despite its diversity of religions, cultures, and languages. In his speeches and writings, he repeatedly emphasized that India’s history showed a continuous movement towards unity. He rejected communal divisions and firmly supported the idea of a secular and integrated India. His patriotic outlook is also reflected in his disappointment over the partition of the country, which he viewed as a tragic event against the spirit of Indian unity.

Chagla was also a man of high intellectual ability and clarity of thought. As a lawyer and judge, he valued logic, lucidity, and precision. His admiration for clear reasoning can be seen in the way he described eminent personalities like Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Chagla himself possessed the same qualities of clear expression and rational thinking. His autobiography reflects deep scholarship and thoughtful analysis of historical, political, and social issues.

Another important aspect of his character was his commitment to professional ethics and discipline. During his early legal career under Jinnah, he learned the highest traditions of the legal profession. He respected honesty, dignity, and fairness in legal practice. Chagla believed that law was not merely a profession for earning money but a noble institution meant to uphold justice and morality. Throughout his career, he maintained integrity and independence in his judgments and conduct.

Chagla was also broad-minded and secular in outlook. He strongly believed that religion should never divide people or interfere with national unity. His writings reveal his faith in liberal and democratic values. He admired leaders and thinkers who promoted tolerance, justice, and harmony among communities. This broad humanistic vision made him respected across different sections of society.

At the same time, Chagla was humble and self-reflective. In Roses in December, he does not merely praise himself or others blindly. He critically examines events, political developments, and personalities with honesty and balance. Even while admiring Jinnah’s brilliance as an advocate, he openly discusses his coldness and later political role in partition. This balanced approach shows Chagla’s fairness and intellectual honesty.

Another admirable quality of Chagla was his deep respect for history and education. He believed that history teaches valuable lessons and acts as a safeguard against the misuse of political power. According to him, education and historical understanding were essential for building a responsible democracy and enlightened citizenship.

Chagla also appears as a cultured and sensitive human being. His language is elegant, thoughtful, and refined. Through his autobiography, readers can see his emotional attachment to friends, mentors, and national ideals. Even while discussing serious political and legal matters, he writes with warmth, wisdom, and sincerity.

In conclusion, M.C. Chagla emerges in Roses in December as a distinguished jurist, nationalist, secular thinker, and man of integrity. His devotion to justice, clarity of thought, professional ethics, and national unity made him one of the most respected public figures of his time. His autobiography reflects not only the story of his life but also the ideals and values he stood for throughout his career.

Q16. Explain Mr. Chagla's experience at the Bar.

Ans. M.C. Chagla’s journey at the Bombay Bar, is a classic story of struggle, learning, and final success. When he returned to India in 1922 after studying at Oxford, he didn't have any clients or family connections in the legal world. He went through a long "briefless" period where he had no work. Instead of giving up, he treated the High Court like a classroom, sitting in the galleries to watch great lawyers like Sir Jamshedji Kanga and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. He believed that even if you don't have cases, you must remain "attached" to the court to learn the art of advocacy.

A major turning point in his early career was the sensational Trunk Murder Case. While many thought of Chagla as mainly a civil lawyer, this famous criminal case proved his skills to everyone. A man had been murdered, and his body was found packed in a trunk that was left in a taxi and later dumped in a well. Chagla represented the second accused person in the trial. Despite the "overwhelming evidence" and the gruesome nature of the crime, he managed to secure an acquittal for his client. This victory was a huge boost to his reputation and showed that he was a methodical lawyer who could handle high-pressure situations. In fact, the title of his book, Roses in December, comes from a moment after a murder trial when a grateful client brought him roses in the winter; a symbol of unexpected success.

Another key part of his experience was his time in Jinnah’s chambers. Chagla spent six years as Jinnah's junior, which he called a "truly transformative experience." He was fascinated by Jinnah's clear logic and "artistic" way of presenting a case. From Jinnah, he learned that a lawyer’s first duty is to his client, but he must never lose his dignity or suck up to the judges. This period taught him that the independence of the Bar is the most important thing in a democracy. He also worked on other big cases like the Meerut Conspiracy case, where he stood alongside legendary figures like Motilal Nehru.

Ultimately, Chagla’s time at the Bar wasn't just about winning cases; it was about building a character of integrity and hard work. He was known for being incredibly thorough and for his "quick grasp" of legal points. These years of hard practice at the Bombay High Court prepared him to eventually become a judge in 1941 and, later, the first Indian Chief Justice of that same court. His story shows that for a student of law, the Bar is a place where you develop the courage and discipline needed to serve the cause of justice for a lifetime.

Q17. Narrate M.C. Chagla's role as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.

Ans. M. C. Chagla is presented as a deeply committed, independent, and reform-oriented Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He assumed office on 15 August 1947, succeeding Sir Leonard Stone, at a crucial moment when India had just attained independence. Chagla describes that although he initially felt anxious and burdened by the immense responsibilities of the office, he approached his duties with determination, sincerity, and complete dedication.

One of the most striking aspects of Chagla’s personality as Chief Justice was his extraordinary sense of duty and discipline. He believed that the administration of justice required constant commitment and punctuality. In his autobiography, he proudly notes that he never absented himself from court even for a single day. To him, the satisfaction of performing judicial duties honestly was more valuable than any financial reward or additional salary. This reflects his deep respect for the judiciary and his belief that judges must serve as guardians of justice rather than seekers of privilege.

Chagla also displayed remarkable administrative insight and practical wisdom. Upon becoming Chief Justice, he carefully observed the weaknesses within the judicial system. He noticed that several judges lacked adequate judicial experience or had remained disconnected from actual judicial work for a long period. Chagla strongly believed that judges should either be selected from experienced practising advocates or from district judges actively engaged in judicial administration. According to him, only such persons could understand the realities of litigation and dispense effective justice. This reveals his practical and reformist approach towards the judiciary.

Another important feature of Chagla’s personality was his fearless independence. He firmly believed that the judiciary must remain impartial and should never function under government influence. Consequently, he delivered several judgments against the government whenever he felt that citizens’ rights or constitutional principles were being violated. He considered the judiciary to be the protector of individual liberty and democratic values.

His liberal and humanitarian outlook became particularly visible in matters relating to preventive detention. Chagla openly disliked and criticized the Preventive Detention Act because he believed that such laws could easily threaten personal freedom in a democratic society. Whenever he found loopholes, procedural irregularities, or misuse of power by the government, he did not hesitate to release detainees. This demonstrated his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith in civil liberties and the rule of law.

Chagla was also a great judicial reformer who sought to modernise and democratise the Bombay High Court. At that time, there existed distinctions and tensions between the Appellate Side and the Original Side of the court. Chagla attempted to remove these divisions and foster harmony within the legal profession. He emphasized that every advocate should have the right to practise on both sides of the court without discrimination. This reflected his belief in equality, professional unity, and fairness.

Furthermore, he worked to simplify and improve the judicial structure. He abolished the distinction between “pleaders” and “advocates,” thereby promoting equality among legal practitioners. He also changed the designation of subordinate judges to “Civil Judges,” which gave greater dignity and uniformity to the subordinate judiciary. These reforms indicate his progressive outlook and administrative efficiency.

Thus, as portrayed in Roses in December, M. C. Chagla emerges as a disciplined, fearless, liberal, and reform-minded Chief Justice. His integrity, devotion to duty, concern for civil liberties, and efforts to strengthen the judiciary made him one of the most respected judges in independent India.

Q18. Write a letter to the editor of a Legal Journal to accept an article for publication.

Ans.

To

The Editor

India Law Journal

Date: 8 May 2026

Subject: Acceptance of Article for Publication

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am pleased to inform you that I have recently gone through the article submitted by you titled “The Changing Dimensions of Law in Modern Society.” After careful reading and consideration, I find the article highly informative, well-researched, and suitable for publication in our journal.

The article presents a clear analysis of contemporary legal issues and reflects sound understanding of the subject. The arguments are well-structured, and the language used is appropriate for an academic legal journal. I am particularly impressed by the relevance of the topic in today’s context.

I hereby formally accept your article for publication in the upcoming issue of the India Law Journal. Kindly ensure that the final proof is checked and any necessary minor corrections are completed before printing.

We appreciate your contribution and look forward to receiving more quality submissions from you in the future.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

Editor

India Law Journal