Book Review

Patiala House – Palace To Seat of Justice

Price Rs. 2999/-
Available at : Universal Book Traders
C-27, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001 • Ph.: 23418671

This coffee-table book is a tribute to and celebration of the rich heritage and architectural grandeur of Patiala House. Though situated in the heart of Lutyens Delhi, its beauty got lost in the hustle and bustle of the business of courts.

This book captures the journey of Patiala House from a Patiala plot to a royal palace to a seat of justice whilst chronicling its history through documents and oral testimonies/ messages of some of its occupants. It takes one on a visual odyssey of Patiala House showcasing its architectural features like the conglomeration of chhatris, a long continuous chajja, protruding balconies, the jaalis that allow comfortable cross-ventilation, floor designs and stair railings with motifs of a peacock reigning supreme.

The book captures some of the high-profile cases tried at Patiala House Courts like, the Parliament attack, BMW hit-and-run case, Phoolan Devi murder, Jessica Lal murder, and Nitish Katara murder, to name a few.

Patiala House: Palace to Seat of Justice is a treasure trove for historians, culture enthusiasts, students, litigants, lawyers, and judges alike.

Patiala House: Palace to Seat of Justice is a treasure trove for historians, culture enthusiasts, students, litigants, lawyers, and judges alike. The coffee table captures some of the high-profile cases tried at Patiala House Courts like BMW, Phoolan Devi murder, Parliament attack, Jessica Lal murder, Nitish Katara murder, to name a few.

Justice Bamba has done a commendable job in chronicling the interesting history of Patiala House right from its request to the British for a plot of land to its construction, occupation by WHO and others, and its transformation to a seat of justice. Sharing high-profile cases tried in Patiala House like the Parliament attack, BMW, Tandoor murder, and Jessica Lal murder, to name a few, makes it all the more engaging.

Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor, Delhi


Beautiful portrayal of charm, grandeur, and architectural marvel of Patiala House by Justice Poonam A Bamba reflects her admirable capacity to perceive and present. Capturing the journey of Patiala House from palace to a seat of justice where high-profile cases have been tried, is a treasure created forever.

Justice Manmohan, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi


A commendable endeavour. I hope it is replicated by other courts in India, to chronicle and preserve their history.

Chetan Sharma
Sr. Advocate,
Additional Solicitor General,
High Court of Delhi


An extraordinary effort by Justice Bamba in tracing and documenting the history of Patiala House and capturing its beauty and architecture. It is pure joy to possess this coffee-table book.

Padma Shri Prof Biman B Das
Chairman,
All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society,
New Delhi


This coffee-table book not only captures the history of Patiala House but also of New Delhi Bar Association, its struggles and contribution to dispensation of justice. Sharing of high-profile cases tried in Patiala House, has enriched the work further.

O P Faizi,
Advocate,
Member, New Delhi Bar Association and Bar Council of Delhi


Poonam A Bamba, a former Judge of the High Court of Delhi, is the Chairperson, Police Complaints Authority, Delhi. She was elevated to the High Court from District Judiciary at Delhi. She remained posted at Patiala House Courts as an Additional District and Sessions Judge between 2008-2012 and as District and Sessions Judge in the New Delhi District during 2017-2019. She had the opportunity to soak in the glory of this Palace, which has translated into this coffee-table book. Justice Bamba is a sensitive narrator and she has already written three books touching upon socially significant issues: Perfect Marriage – Not a Mirage, its second edition, How to Save Your Marriage, Temple of Justice – A School of Life, and Parents at War – Custody Battles in Indian Courts. She has a postgraduate degree in law from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, and graduated with Honours in Botany from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. Justice Bamba was born, brought up and lives in Delhi with her family.

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