History of the Bar

1900

Year Established

125+

Years of Legacy

500+

Active Members

10+

High Court Judges

A Century of Justice

Timeline of the Legal Profession

1900 – 1920

⚖ The Beginning of the Legal Profession

This period marks the true beginning of the legal profession in Chandrapur. Adv. Balwantrao Deshmukh, the first President of the Chandrapur District Bar Association, started his practice on 29 October 1900 — a date that marks the founding of the legal fraternity in the region.

Other early pioneering lawyers who laid the foundation of the Bar:

Adv. Abaji Chendke Adv. Raghunath (Dadaji) Dewaikar Adv. Nanasaheb Bhagwat Adv. D.B. Joshi Adv. V.A. Patil Adv. G.B. Mohrir Adv. Dinkar Madhavrao Hastak Adv. Dajiba Ganesh Dewaikar

1930 – 1940

📈 Growth Phase

After 1930, the number of lawyers increased significantly. Chandrapur developed a strong and well-respected base of practicing lawyers, establishing itself as a notable legal centre in the Vidarbha region.

Adv. Kakasaheb Kaushik Adv. Bapusaheb Sadhankar Adv. Gajananrao Dewaikar Adv. S.B. Topre Adv. G.K. Vadaskar

1940 – 1965

🏛 Expansion & Consolidation

The legal profession continued to expand steadily. By 1959 there were 49 lawyers, which slightly reduced to 47 by 1964. After 1965, a new wave of advocates joined the profession, enriching its diversity and expertise.

Adv. Rajabhau Dev Adv. Poshattiwar Adv. Khanke Adv. Vasade Adv. Ghotekar

Some lawyers later became government pleaders, politicians, or engaged in agriculture and social work.

Post 1970

🌟 Eminent Practitioners Emerge

The number of advocates significantly increased after 1970. Eminent lawyers emerged as the leading legal practitioners, contributing to the rich legacy of the Bar Association.

Adv. Vijay Sakdev Adv. P.C. Khajanchi Adv. Vijay Mogre Adv. Ravindra Bhagwat Adv. Ajit Labhe Adv. P.M. Satpute Adv. Sanjay Shirpurkar Adv. Awari Adv. Sunil Purankar Adv. M.H. Tandon Adv. Sunil Hastak Adv. D.N. Burile Adv. D.K. Hazare

Post 1990

🚀 New Generation of Advocates

After 1990, a new generation of lawyers has steadily increased, contributing to the golden and rich history of the Chandrapur Bar. These advocates brought fresh energy, specialised expertise, and modern legal practice to the association.

Adv. Vinayak Bapat Adv. Abhay Pachpor Adv. Rajesh Thakur Adv. Prakash Bajaj Adv. Girish Marliwar Adv. Farhat Beig

🏛 Rise to Judiciary & Higher Positions

Several lawyers from Chandrapur later rose to prestigious judicial positions at the High Court and subordinate judiciary, a testament to the calibre of legal talent nurtured by the CDBA.

Justice Madan Tahaliyani Justice Manohar Pote Justice Moreshwar Kadukar Justice Muralidhar Giradkar Justice Kishore Tonge Justice Sameer Das Justice Gajanan Jogi Justice Anurag Dixit

New generation — Judicial Services:

Adv. Nitin Jiwne Adv. Anirudha Chandekar Adv. Akash Khune Adv. Amol Surve

Many others also became First Class Judicial Magistrates, contributing significantly to the judiciary and the delivery of justice in the region.

👩‍⚖️ Women in the Legal Profession

Adv. Jamila Karim was the first woman lawyer in Chandrapur — a trailblazer who paved the way for generations of women advocates. Many women later gained recognition and strengthened diversity and representation in the legal field.

Adv. Jamila Karim (First Woman Lawyer) Adv. Pratibha Potdukhe Adv. Vidya Masade Adv. Kausar Parveen Khan Adv. Varsha Jamdar Adv. Vaishali Tonge

⚖️ Government Pleaders

Several eminent lawyers of the Chandrapur Bar have served and continue to serve as Government Pleaders, representing the State in courts and contributing to public law.

Former Government Pleaders:

Adv. S.R. Ambatkar Adv. Jayant Salve Adv. Sanjay Munghate

Current Government Pleaders:

Adv. Prashant Ghattuwar (District Govt. Pleader) Adv. Devendra Mahajan Adv. Asif Sheikh Adv. Degawar Adv. Sandip Nagpure

🏅 Honorary Members

Senior members who have made outstanding contributions to the Bar and have been accorded honorary membership in recognition of their lifetime service:

Adv. R.G. Hastak Adv. Eknathrao Salve

Many advocates from the Chandrapur Bar have also qualified as judges and continue to serve in the judicial system, carrying forward the legacy of the profession.

Present Leadership

Current Executive Body

President

Adv. Vikram Tandon

Vice President

Adv. Aman Marekar

Secretary

Adv. Abhijit Kinhikar

Joint Secretary

Adv. Trupti Mandavgade

Treasurer

Adv. Murlidhar Bawankar

Librarian

Adv. Rahul Thorat

"From a modest beginning in 1900, the legal profession in Chandrapur has grown steadily, producing distinguished lawyers, judges, and social leaders. The profession has evolved with increasing participation, including that of women, and continues to contribute significantly to the legal and social framework of the region."