The brochure approach

Before the hearing involving the case between YES Bank and Madhu Kapur, widow of a promoter, over the appointment of her daughter to the board, Bombay High Court Justice S J Kathawala asked who was representing Rana Kapoor, the bank's chief executive officer and managing director. When the lawyer concerned stood up, the judge bluntly told him to tell Rana Kapoor not to send him brochures of Assocham (Kapoor recently became president of the industry body). The lawyer clarified that these brochures had been sent to all judges of the high court but Justice Kathawala said he wanted YES Bank to stop sending copies to him, especially since he was hearing the case. "Anyhow, that brochure is full of his photographs with the prime minister," the judge observed caustically. Kapoor's lawyer could only smile weakly and confirm that he would convey the message to his client.