Who is Poona A Bamba? Meet the former Delhi High Court judge who trekked to Everest Base Camp at the age of 64

Age proved to be no barrier for Poona A Bamba, a retired Delhi High Court judge, who took on an unexpected challenge in November 2024: trekking to Everest Base Camp with her husband Anil Bamba, then 66, a seasoned traveler and ex-bureaucrat.

What started as an unplanned decision turned into a 10-day trek of more than 65 kilometers across rugged mountain trails, dense forests, suspension bridges and freezing conditions.

The couple reached Everest Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,364 meters.

“I thought, if he can retire at 66, why can’t I?” Bamba recalled, as reported by The Indian Express.

She had not originally planned to join her husband. But when he struggled to find companions for the journey, she changed her mind and decided to take on the challenge herself.

Her Achievements: From Company Law to Delhi High Court

Poona A Bamba was born on September 1, 1961 in Delhi and studied in the capital. She graduated with honors in Botany from Hansraj College, University of Delhi in 1980, then completed her LLB in 1983 and LLM in 1988 from the University’s Faculty of Law.

She also received a Diploma in Administrative Law from the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi.

Bamba began her professional career as an advocate, practicing in the District Courts of Delhi and the Supreme Court from 1983 to 1987. Subsequently, from 1987 to 1996, she worked with the Punjab National Bank and the Central Bank of India as a lawyer and Deputy General Manager (Law).

From 1996 to 2002, she worked for the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in Mumbai, where she served as Divisional Head (Legal) and Joint Legal Counsel.

During this period, she represented the institution before courts across India and before the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

She joined the Delhi Senior Judicial Service in December 2002 and began a judicial career that spanned nearly two decades before her elevation to the Delhi High Court.

Judicial careers from family courts to criminal cases

During her tenure in the judiciary, Bamba presided over several jurisdictions, including matrimonial and family courts, land acquisition cases, appeals under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act 1971 and Courts of Session.

She also served as a special judge handling cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Patiala House Courts.

Her administrative duties included serving as District and Sessions Judge in various districts of Delhi. She held positions in South East District at Saket, New Delhi District at Patiala House Courts and South District at Saket Courts Complex.

Bamba was elevated as a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court on 28 March 2022. She retired on 31 August 2023.

She is the author of books on marriage, parenting and the justice system

In addition to her judicial duties, Bamba has written four books on relationships, family disputes and the justice system.

Her works include Perfect Marriage — Not a Mirage, How to Save Your Marriage, Temple of Justice — School of Life and Parents at War — Custody Battles in Indian Courts.

She has also published articles in journals associated with Delhi Judicial Academy, National Stock Exchange and Central Bank of India.

In addition to writing, she has served as a visiting faculty member and resource person at institutions including Delhi Judicial Academy, UTI Institute of Capital Markets and training institutes associated with financial institutions.

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Graduated mediator with an interest in human behavior

These included programs at Baruch College in New York and the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington.

However, her interests go beyond law and finance. A sports enthusiast, she was awarded the title of Best Sportsperson at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi in 1983.

She is also a bird watcher and nature enthusiast who has been involved in initiatives involving micro-forests and tree adoption in district courts.