PM Modi opens judicial museum that houses certificates of Mahatma Gandhi, Jinnah

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 'Permanent Judicial Museum' at Bombay High Court, which has on display the Barrister Certificates of Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

The museum has been set up as a part of the court's sesquicentennial (150th year) celebration.

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Mohit Shah were present on this occasion.

After inaugurating the museum, Modi interacted with the judges and legal luminaries.

The museum, located on the ground floor of the heritage building of the High Court in south Mumbai, displays antique items associated with the rich history of the 150 years old court.

The first court held here was the Mayor's Court which functioned between 1726 and 1798. The Recorder's Court followed next and was in existence till 1824. Then there was

the Supreme Court of Bombay, between 1824 and 1862, which became the Bombay High Court in 1862.

On display are the Barrister Certificates issued to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1891 and Mohammed Ali Jinnah in 1896.

The museum also boasts of Barrister Certificates of Dr B R Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K M Munshi and the first Chief Justice of India, M C Chhagla.

There are old candle stands with original glass casings, inkpots and paperweights, an original wig, a silver mace and other judicial paraphernalia.

A canon dating back to 1850, which was left behind at the court premises after the demolition of Bombay Fort in 1864, is of historical significance. There is also a depiction of how court rooms functioned in the 19th century before electricity came: cloth fans hung above the judge, pulled by staff, which preceded the electric fans.