
Bombay High Mumbai is a hub of activity that has been shaped by its rich history. The city has a long and storied past, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the 10th century.
The city's strategic location on the west coast of India made it an attractive spot for trade and commerce. Over time, it grew into a major commercial center, with the British East India Company establishing a foothold in the 17th century.
The city's history is also marked by its role in the production of various goods, including textiles, cotton, and sugar. Its infrastructure has been designed to support these industries, with a network of roads, railways, and ports connecting it to the rest of the country.
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History and Background
The Bombay High Court has a rich history, with several notable cases being administered by the court over the years. One of the earliest recorded cases is the Trial of Rama Komathi in the year 1720.

The court has also handled significant cases such as the Bwala Murder Case in 1925 and the Mullaji Case (also known as the Chandabhoy Gulla Case) between 1918 and 1919. These cases demonstrate the court's ability to handle complex and high-profile cases.
The Bombay High Court has its roots in the Bombay High Court of Judicature, which was established in 1862. The Maharaj Libel Case in 1862 is one of the earliest recorded cases of the court.
Here are some notable historical cases administered by the Bombay High Court:
- The Trial of Rama Komathi in the year 1720
- Bwala Murder Case in the year 1925
- Mullaji Case (Chandabhoy Gulla Case) in the year between 1918 and 1919
- Maharaj Libel Case in the year 1862
- The Kalbadevi Shooting Case in the year 1946
- The Caucus Case in the year 1908
ONGC's 50 Years Strong
The Mumbai High oilfield, India's flagship and largest oilfield, has been producing oil and gas for an incredible 50 years. This milestone was marked by ONGC with a function in Mumbai, celebrating the field's golden jubilee.
Mumbai High was discovered in February 1974 by a Russian and Indian team from the seismic exploration vessel Academic Arkhangelsky while mapping the Gulf of Cambay. It was initially producing 3,500 barrels of oil per day.

The field's production increased significantly within three years, reaching 80,000 barrels per day. A sub-sea pipeline was laid in 1978 to transport oil from the field to refineries in Mumbai.
Mumbai High has produced an impressive 527 million barrels of oil and 221 billion cubic meters of gas over the past 50 years, accounting for around 70% of India's domestic production so far. The field hit a peak of 4,76,000 barrels of oil per day and 28 billion cubic meters of gas in 1989.
Here's a brief overview of the field's production milestones:
- 1974: Discovery of Mumbai High oilfield
- 1976: Commencement of production
- 1978: Laying of sub-sea pipeline
- 1989: Peak production of 4,76,000 barrels of oil per day and 28 billion cubic meters of gas
- Present: Producing 1,35,000 barrels of oil per day and 13 billion cubic meters of gas
The field still has significant reserves, with around 1.659 billion tonnes of total reserves in place.
Formation
The Bombay High Court has a fascinating history, and its formation is a great place to start. The Aurangabad Bench was constituted on August 27, 1981, through an order issued by the Chief Justice.
The process began on July 20, 1981, with a letter from the Law Secretary to the Registrar, requesting permission to forward a proposal for setting up a Bench at Aurangabad. The Chief Justice agreed with the suggestion of the State Government that action had to be taken under sub-section (3) of S. 51 of the Act, which required the approval of the Governor.

The Law Secretary conveyed the approval of the Governor to the Registrar on August 10, 1981, paving the way for the establishment of the Aurangabad Bench. This marked a significant milestone in the history of the Bombay High Court.
The Constitution of the Bench was challenged before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, but the Petition filed by the State of Maharashtra was allowed, and the people's aspirations from Marathwada were recognized.
Judiciary and Cases
The Bombay High Court has a rich history of administering justice in the region. One notable case was the Trial of Rama Komathi in 1720.
The court has also handled several high-profile cases, including the Bwala Murder Case in 1925 and the Mullaji Case, also known as the Chandabhoy Gulla Case, which took place between 1918 and 1919.
In addition to these cases, the court has also dealt with matters such as the Maharaj Libel Case in 1862 and the Kalbadevi Shooting Case in 1946.
Historical Cases of Bombay Court

The Bombay High Court has a rich history, and one of the most interesting aspects is the numerous historical cases it has administered. The court has been the site for many noteworthy trials and court cases.
One of the earliest recorded cases was the Trial of Rama Komathi in 1720. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was tried a number of times in the Bombay High Court, but the most famous was his trial for sedition in the 1916 case Emperor v. Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The court has seen its fair share of high-profile cases, including the Bwala Murder Case in 1925 and the Mullaji Case (also known as the Chandabhoy Gulla Case) between 1918 and 1919. These cases demonstrate the court's ability to handle complex and sensitive matters.
Some notable cases include the Maharaj Libel Case in 1862 and the Kalbadevi Shooting Case in 1946. These cases showcase the court's commitment to upholding the law and ensuring justice is served.

Here are some of the most significant historical cases administered by the Bombay High Court:
- The Trial of Rama Komathi in the year 1720
- Bwala Murder Case in the year 1925
- Mullaji Case (Chandabhoy Gulla Case) in the year between 1918 and 1919
- Maharaj Libel Case in the year 1862
- The Kalbadevi Shooting Case in the year 1946
Court E-Initiative
The Bombay High Court has made significant strides in digitizing its operations through the E-Initiative. The High Court Computer Committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the development of this initiative.
The E-Initiative has led to the development of a website for the Bombay High Court, which is a significant step towards making court services more accessible to the public. The website is designed to cater to the needs of various departments within the High Court.
One of the key aspects of the E-Initiative is the adoption of best practices in technology and digital services. This approach ensures that the court's online presence is efficient, secure, and user-friendly.
The E-Initiative is a multi-faceted project that covers various aspects of the High Court's operations. Some of the key areas covered under the initiative include:
- Development of the website of the Bombay High Court
- Services for various departments of the High Court
- Best practices in technology and digital services
- Future activities and developments
Infrastructure and Development

The Bombay High Court, located in Mumbai, has a rich history dating back to 1862. Its original building was constructed in 1862.
The court's jurisdiction extends to the entire state of Maharashtra, making it one of the busiest high courts in India.
Field Discovery Details
The discovery of Mumbai High field in 1974 marked a significant turning point in the oil industry in India. It was made by a joint Russian and Indian team from the seismic exploration vessel Academic Arkhangelsky while mapping the Gulf of Cambay between 1964 and 1967.
This discovery, along with subsequent finds in the western offshore area, brought about a major transformation in the oil industry in India. The discovery of Mumbai High field was a pivotal moment in the country's oil history.
In 2018, a major oil discovery was made from well WO-24-3, which indicated a potential of approximately 29.74 million tonnes of oil equivalent in the area.
New Building

The High Court at Nagpur has a rich history, and one notable development is the extension of its building. The High Court at Nagpur began sitting in its current building on November 1, 1956.
The building has undergone significant changes over the years, with the addition of two annex buildings on both sides of the existing structure. This extension was sanctioned by the Government of Maharashtra for a whopping Rs. 1,2,926,605/- on March 21, 1983.
The South Wing of the building houses various facilities for the public, including utilities for litigants and the Bar, as well as the High Court Government Pleader's Establishment.
Field Development Details
The Mumbai High field has undergone significant redevelopment efforts to boost its oil and gas production.
The field's peak production rate was 400,000 barrels of oil per day in 1985, but this declined to 220,000bopd by 2001.
ONGC invested Rs80bn during phase one to improve efficiency and control the decline in production.

A total of 29% of the field's total reserves were improved during phase one, with 9.34Mt of crude oil and 2.89bcm of gas produced until March 2008.
Phase two of the redevelopment plan, which began in 2009, aims to increase oil production by 17.354Mt and gas production by 2.987bcm by 2030.
The estimated cost of phase two is Rs71.33bn, and it involves drilling 73 new wells and side-tracking 38 poor producers.
Mumbai High South phase three redevelopment is also underway, with an estimated investment of Rs60.68bn and a projected increase in oil production by 7.547Mt and gas production by 3.864bcm by 2030.
The field's cumulative oil production, including oil generated from phase one development, was 140.25Mt by January 2009.
As of 2018, the average daily crude oil production at Mumbai High field was 16.9Mt and gas production was approximately 52.32Mscmd.
Production and Reserves
Production at the Mumbai High Field peaked in 1998 with 20Mt of oil production per year. This is a significant milestone in the field's history.

The field's production was impressive, with 12.8Mscmd of gas produced prior to redevelopment projects. The average water cut was 63%.
Crude oil production was around 265,000 barrels per day in 2007, with an average of 1,200 barrels of liquid per well. This is a substantial amount of oil.
As of 2018, the average daily crude oil production had dropped to 16.9Mt, while gas production was approximately 52.32Mscmd.
Production from Field
The Mumbai High Field reached its peak production level in 1998 with a staggering 20Mt of oil per year.
At its peak, the field produced 12.8Mscmd of gas, a significant amount that highlights the importance of this field in the region's energy production.
By 2007, the average production of crude oil was 265,000 barrels per day, with a concerning average water cut of 63%.
In 2007, the field also produced an average of 1,200 barrels of liquid per well, a notable figure that showcases the field's capabilities.

The cumulative production of crude oil from the field, including oil generated from phase one development, was a substantial 140.25Mt by January 2009.
As of 2018, the average daily crude oil production at the Mumbai High field was 16.9Mt, a significant decrease from its peak.
The field's gas production was approximately 52.32Mscmd as of 2018, a notable figure that highlights the ongoing importance of this field in the region's energy production.
Geology and Reserves
The geology of Mumbai High field is quite complex, with different oil and gas reservoirs present from top to bottom. These reservoirs include basal clastics and fractured basement.
The field is primarily made up of limestone oil reservoirs, specifically L-II and L-III, which date back to the Miocene age. These reservoirs are further classified into several layers.
Mumbai High field has a significant amount of oil reserves, with approximately 1,659Mt of total reserves in place.
Sources
- https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ongcs-mumbai-high-50-years-on-still-going-strong-9169641/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_High_Court
- https://www.offshore-technology.com/projects/mumbai-high-field/
- https://www.mumbaionline.in/guide/mumbai-high-court
- https://ecommitteesci.gov.in/division/high-court-of-bombay/
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