B.J.Divan

Bipinchandra Jivanlal Divan (1919–2012) was an Indian judge. He was the Chief Justice of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh High Courts, and Acting Governor of Andhra Pradesh.

Life and education He was born on 20 August 1919. He was educated at Proprietary High School, Ahmedabad, Wilson College and Government Law College, Bombay and University School of Economics and Sociology, Bombay and have degrees of Master of Arts and LLB.

He was the first 'centurion' blood donor from Ahmedabad and as well from judiciary. His nephew Anil B. Divan was senior advocate in Supreme Court of India and notable constitutional expert.

He died on 12 March 2012.

Career He was enrolled as an Advocate of Bombay High Court on the Appellate Side in September, 1941 and on the Original Side in September, 1943 and practiced there from 1943 to 1954. He was appointed judge, Bombay City Civil Court, and additional sessions judge, Greater Bombay, on 4 November 1954 and principal judge, Bombay City Civil Court, and sessions judge, Greater Bombay, on 1 May 1961.

Diwan was appointed judge at the civil court at the age of 35 and was High Court judge at 45 when he was appointed additional judge of Gujarat High Court from 19 April 1962 and made permanent judge with effect from 23 September 1963.

He was appointed chief justice, Gujarat High Court, from 17 July 1973. He was transferred to Andhra Pradesh High Court with effect from 1 July 1976. He was acting governor of Andhra Pradesh from 17 February 1977 till 5 May 1977. He was again transferred to Gujarat High Court as chief justice with effect from 28 August 1977 and retired on 20 August 1981.