Justice Kamat was known for his integrity, fairness and adherence to constitutional and legal principles. He was born on January 5, 1935, and graduated with Arts and Law degrees. He was enrolled as an Advocate by Maharashtra Bar Council on August 10, 1962. He had practiced law in Bombay in 1963 and since 1964 he practised in Goa.
Kamat had been prosecutor for the Government of Goa from 1967 to 1969. From 1980 he had been advocate for Customs and Central Excise Departments of Government of India. He also had been Member of Senate and of Faculty of Law of the University of Bombay from 1980 to 1982.
Kamat was appointed Additional Judge, Bombay High Court on November 29, 1983 and permanent Judge on November 29, 1983. He was appointed Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court on July 1, 1996, making him the first Goan chief justice. He retired on January 4, 1997.
The All India Lawyers’ Union (AILU) Goa State Committee said Justice Kamat handled many cases on behalf of mundkars, agricultural tenants, workers and destitute ladies. “For little or no fees, he brought to the court his excellent legal acumen in order to secure justice to the deprived sections of society. His elevation to the seat of judge of the High Court of Bombay and his subsequent appointment as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court have always been matters of pride for all the people of Goa. As a judge, he used his judgments to set forth jurisprudence of socialistic thought.”
