Age proved to be no barrier for retired Delhi High Court judge Poona A Bamba, who successfully completed a trek to the Everest Base Camp in November 2024. At 64, Bamba undertook the challenging journey alongside her husband, Anil Bamba, a former bureaucrat who was 66 at the time. The expedition spanned 10 days and covered more than 65 kilometres, taking the couple across rugged mountain terrain, dense forests, and high-altitude suspension bridges in freezing conditions. They eventually reached the camp, situated at an altitude of 5,364 metres.
Reflecting on the motivation behind the trek, Bamba noted that the decision was not part of an initial plan. Her husband, an experienced traveller, had struggled to find a companion for the trip. Seeing his determination, she decided to join him. “I thought to myself, if he can go at the age of 66, why can’t I?” she remarked. This sense of resilience is a theme that has marked both her personal and professional life, which she has spent transitioning between high-stakes legal environments and creative pursuits.
Born in Delhi on September 1, 1961, Bamba’s academic background began in the sciences. She earned an honours degree in Botany from Hansraj College, University of Delhi, in 1980, before shifting her focus to law. She completed her LLB in 1983 and her LLM in 1988 from the university's Faculty of Law, later adding a diploma in Administrative Law from the Indian Law Institute in New Delhi. During her student years, her affinity for activity was evident; she was named the Best Athlete at the University of Delhi's Faculty of Law in 1983.
Bamba’s legal career was extensive and multifaceted. She began as an advocate in Delhi’s district and high courts between 1983 and 1987. She then transitioned into roles as a law officer and deputy chief officer for Punjab National Bank and the Central Bank of India. From 1996 to 2002, she served at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in Mumbai as Division Chief (Legal) and Joint Legal Advisor, where she represented the institution before the Securities Appellate Tribunal and various courts across the country.
In December 2002, Bamba entered the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, marking the beginning of a two-decade-long judicial career. She presided over various jurisdictions, including family and matrimonial courts, land acquisition cases, and sessions courts. Her administrative experience included serving as a District and Sessions Judge in the South East, New Delhi, and South districts of Delhi. She also served as a special judge for cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Patiala House Courts. She was elevated to a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court on March 28, 2022, and retired on August 31, 2023.
Beyond her official duties, Bamba has been a prolific author and mediator. She has written four books focusing on family disputes, human relationships, and the legal system, including titles such as Perfect Marriage — Not a Mirage and Parents at War — Custody Battles in Indian Courts. Her expertise in mediation and human behaviour has also made her a regular resource person at the Delhi Judicial Academy. An advocate for nature, she has also participated in initiatives involving tree adoption and the creation of micro-forests within court districts, blending her interests in public service and the environment.
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