July 22, 2018:
Name of Legal Stalwart: Advocate Amjad Khan
Email id: adv.amjadkan2@gmail.com
Contact no: 9303105435.
Currently Practising at: District & Sessions Court, Bhopal
The interviewer, Sumit Mishra is a 2nd year student of Allahabad University. He is currently interning with LatestLaws.com
Q1. Tell us about your early childhood and education?
Ans. My father was a central railway employee, so my schooling was from many places in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Every 2 years, my father was transferred to another city. Therefore, I have had the opportunity to meet different people from different schools and colleges from my studies in many schools and colleges, I am happy to say that every of my childhood friends always stays in touch with me.Q2. When did you decide to pursue law as a profession and why?
Ans. When I was in BA 1st year of 1997, my seniors always do the ragging with my friends. Many times they complain to the principal and also to the police station but they refuse their complaint by given excuses of that there is no certain law for ragging. They told my friends to adjust to the college environment. I always raise my voice against ragging. We also have done many protests I lead them many time our senior blackmail and do the physical assault with me and my friends but in 1998 our college issue a notice on ragging and made ragging as a criminal offence in the college campus. On that I decide I am will do LLB. and help the needy person.
Q4. Are you a first generation lawyer?
Ans. Yes, I am a first generation lawyer.
Q5. How is your law school experience?
Ans. When I entered Law School, I was a little confused how can I start my journey? How can I work for people? We used to conduct many seminars in various parts of the state and we also tried that people of rural areas should know their fundamental rights, fundamental duties, legal process etc. We also assisted local government officials in remote awareness programs.
Q6. Would you like to share any experience of your first day in the Court/Case?
Ans. When I reached first time in session Court Bhopal I saw very struggling lawyer who worked as a juniors so I decided I will become a good advocate without junior-ship. Then I daily visit to Court watch the procedure and make notes. I learnt everything on my own when I got a table in the new session Court Bhopal from my personal efforts than start self-practice slowly. On my first day as a lawyer I found 2 cases of a poor widow lady whose land capture by his two sons so I fought for her justice and I win that case without anyone help. I did it through my hard work and studies that I did in the court library than I got positive results from other lawyers.
Q7. In your experience as a lawyer how much cases you fought for people who belong from BPL (Below poverty line) or for those who not able to pay fees to a lawyer? From where you got the idea?
Ans. I remember so many cases that i can’t count on fingers because every cases of mine is memorable and the reason is self-satisfaction. I always feel happy to help any person who can’t afford advocates fee. I always set up my target is always to help needy person who is in problem. Out of 100% around 89% cases I fought as a free service.
Q8. Please share the two or three memorable cases in your professional journey?
One of the cases involves Mrs. Farah, she is a medical student belonging to the poor family. He married his boyfriend, who belongs to the upper class society. For the sake of her daughter's marriage, her father sold all property to fulfill the demand of the bride family. After 2 months she had to face the problem from the marital home. I fought for my justice related to dowry, domestic violence, mental and physical oppression. Within 11 months, her father got every single amount received from the bride family.
Another case of Rajpal who worked as a employee in Insurance company and he is an alcohol addict because of misbehaviour he is an easy target of police. In every matter in locality police directly target him. His mother and father is physically handicapped even not have enough money to hire a lawyer. So, his father came to me and I took his case. All amount related to his case paid by me, released from all charges and admitted him in “Nasha Mukti Kendra” now he is Manager of his company.
Q9. What is your suggestion for the students who select law profession as a dream of becoming a millionaire and assumed as trade?
Ans. I think advocacy is not a profession; it is a social work because you help a needy person who cannot help us. Advocacy is a way of helping human beings, and then the remuneration blesses those who are secondary. In this profession, he works hard and duty while looking at the financial condition of the needy person. If he is not able to pay his fees for his case and you fight for free from your case once. You will surely get a blessing for your life and your dream will come true.Q10. What is the intention for giving internship to every student? How many students have taken internship under your guidance?
A Student requires political reference to taking an internship in respected court under the lawyers. Many of the law firm or lawyer takes charges as fees for the internship. Every month students from different part of the country contact me and willing to apply for an internship under me. I always said “Yes! I’m free. You can come anytime.” Students are our future so I try my level best to train him/her. I always teach them mind on social welfare and social work. I always encourage them for their hard work and patience they showed in my legal works.
In almost every summer and winter vacation approx. 25 students come from the different part of our county like Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Dehradun etc. for the internship.
Q10. Share your opinion on Corruption in Judiciary?
- India has the world’s largest backlog of cases. For 1.7 billion people in India, there are 31 judges in the SC and 1,079 in high courts. Nepotism in judicial appointment is also one of the reasons for corruption in judiciary. India lacks by poor enforcement of laws, even where the laws are good.
- Influential politicians and senior officials are rarely convicted for corruption, eroding public confidence in the political will to effectively tackle corruption.
- My suggestion is to improve Judiciary system there is Improvements to contempt of court and impeachment proceedings. Improvement in judicial infrastructure. Enforcing integrity codes of judges and lawyers extending the Right to Information Act to cover the judiciary. Opening judicial vacancies to qualified legal scholars. Using alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Use of modern technology.
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