The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and the Lawful and the Awful’ -Tushar Mehta’s book
Why in News?
Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta is in the news because he launched two non-fiction books, "The Bench, the Bar and the Bizarre" and "The Lawful and the Awful", at a high-profile event on May 10, 2026.
Key Information About the Books
- Genre & Style: Both books are non-fiction works that share humorous, quirky, and bizarre real-life courtroom anecdotes.
- Focus on Foreign Jurisdictions: Mehta consciously excluded Indian legal incidents, judges, and courts from the books.
- Reason: He stated that since he is still a practising advocate in India and intends to be for years, he chose "professional self-preservation" by focusing on international stories instead.
- Core Themes:
- "The Bench, the Bar and the Bizarre": Explores unconventional judicial behaviour and cases that stretch the imagination.
- "The Lawful and the Awful": Focuses on the human element of law, including the "pomposity" and eccentricities of those who administer justice.
- Insights: According to Rupa Publications, the books aim to enlighten readers about democracy and the significance of its institutions through an engaging, non-pedantic lens.
Notable Event Highlights
- CJI's Remarks: CJI Surya Kant likened reading the books to "binging into a courtroom drama" that occasionally turns into a "stand-up special". He jokingly suggested that Mehta’s third book should focus on the Indian judiciary, as there is "no dearth of comical tales" in Delhi.
- Amit Shah's Address: The Home Minister emphasized that the books bring out a facet of the judiciary that generally "misses the eye" and praised the balance between the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- Publication Details: Published by Rupa Publications, the books have a combined length of 664 pages.
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