Arif S. Doctor

Arif Saleh Doctor (born 17 July 1972) is an Indian judge serving as a Permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court. Appointed as an Additional Judge to that high court on 19 July 2022, and later confirmed as a Permanent Judge, he has presided over significant cases in civil, constitutional, arbitration, and public interest law.

Early life and education Arif Saleh Doctor was born on 17 July 1972 in Mumbai, India. He completed his schooling at St. Mary's School, Mumbai and graduated with a degree in Economics and Political Science from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. He earned his law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai.

His practice focused on civil, constitutional, company, environmental, and admiralty law, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. From 2009 to 2012, he served as a Panel Counsel for the Union of India.

Judicial career He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on 19 July 2022.

On 13 March 2024, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended that Doctor, be appointed as a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court.

He has presided over notable cases, including:

• Redevelopment Law: Ruled that minority members of housing societies cannot obstruct redevelopment projects approved by a majority, impacting urban real estate disputes.

• Arbitration: Upheld a foreign arbitral award, reinforcing India’s pro-arbitration stance, and clarified the scope of interim relief under Section 9 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

• Public Interest: Addressed cases involving illegal hoardings, fire safety guidelines, public healthcare, and stray dog feeding rights.

• Professional Ethics: In a notable 2025 ruling, alongside Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Doctor criticized a senior lawyer for blaming a junior for a case dismissal, directing the senior to gift a book on the Constitution to the junior.