MR M.S. SANGHAVI
President, Bombay Bar Association
Addressing the House, Mr Sanghavi said that PP Khambatta, who died recently at the age of 94, belonged to a vanishing breed: he was that rare combination of a superb lawyer and a perfect gentleman and he embodied the finest qualities of both. Mr Sanghavi had the opportunity to work with him and recalled that he was unfailingly courteous at all times. Mr Sanghavi extended condolences on behalf of the Association to the members of the bereaved family and particularly to his son, Mr Kersi Khambatta, now settled in New Zealand.
MR R. A. DADA
Vice-President, Bombay Bar Association
Mr Dada, while endorsing the sentiments expressed by Mr Sanghavi, mentioned that Mr Khambatta was a doyen of the Bombay Bar. He sat at the first table in the library and was pointed out to every new entrant to the profession as the role model to emulate both in advocacy and in conduct. Whenever a major trial was going on, and there was seldom one in which he was not briefed, the entire junior Bar assembled to watch the master at work. He considered it his call to duty when asked to serve Government and he did so with immaculate fairness as a prosecutor, and with equally remarkable success. Mr Dada recalled a particular matter when he was briefed against Mr Khambatta, then at the height of his prowess. Mr Dada, at the time a nervous junior, canvassed a proposition, and the invariably fair counsel that he was, Mr Khambatta instantly conceded the position. Mr Dada joined Mr Sanghavi in extending condolences on behalf of the Association to the members of the bereaved family and particularly to his son, Mr Kersi Khambatta
EMAIL FROM MR K.P. KHAMBATTA
Having read the report of the condolence meeting of the Bombay Bar Association for Mr PP Khambatta, Senior Advocate, I thank each and every member of the Bar Association for the condolences given to us, the members of his family. The addresses of the President and Vice-President at the meeting pay him the compliments he richly deserved. He was without the shadow of a doubt one of the best lawyers of his time, well-respected and much admired. He was particularly known for his advocacy skills and unfailing courtesy to the Bench, the Bar and the client. With his passing away, an era has come to an end. His name will go down in legal history.
Please make this letter known to the legal fraternity as a letter of thanks to each and every one. I have known most members of the Association as close personal friends and have greatly valued their friendship and I reiterate it in this letter. Circumstances have prevented me from being present where I wanted to be.
RESOLUTION
Mr Sanghavi then proposed the following resolution, which was duly seconded and passed unanimously.
“This House mourns the sad demise of Shri PP Khambatta and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
The House observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the deceased.