The Glory of the Indian Judicial System
- 1968: Sopan Gaikwad aged 55, buys a land with a registered deed. Later, he came to know that the land was already mortgaged to a bank.
- 1969: Bank sends him a notice for loan default by the original owner. Sopan goes to court.
- 1982: After 14 years, trial court gives judgment in Sopan’s favour. He is 69. Original owner challenges the decision.
- 1987: High Court cancels the judgment. Sopan is 74.
- 1988: Sopan files appeal in High Court. He is 75.
- 2015: After 27 years of pending appeal, High Court dismisses his case. Sopan is 102. He files another appeal.
- 2019: High Court dismisses second appeal for delay and lawyer’s non appearance. Sopan did not know his lawyer was absent. He is 106.
- 2021: Sopan approaches Supreme Court. He is 108.
- 12 July 2021: Supreme Court agrees to hear the case. On the same day, lawyer informs that Sopan has died.
Sopan bought land at 55. He fought for ownership for 53 years and died at 108.